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Master English Grammar

Future Perfect Tense

Learn how to use the Future Perfect tense to describe actions that will be completed before a certain point in the future. Understand sentences like By next year, I will have completed my degree.

What Is the Future Perfect Tense?

The Future Perfect tense is used to describe actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future.

Why Is This Important?

Using the Future Perfect tense helps you express deadlines, achievements, and results of actions that will be completed at a later point in time.

How to Form the Future Perfect Tense

The Future Perfect tense is formed with:
will + have + past participle
Example: By next year, I will have graduated from university.

Common Examples

By this time tomorrow, she will have finished the project.
He will have left before you arrive.

Key Points

  • Use Future Perfect for actions completed before a specific future time
    • By 10 AM, she will have arrived.
    • By 2025, they will have built a new bridge.
  • Use Future Perfect for expectations and assumptions about the future
    • She will have finished her assignment by now.
    • By the time you read this, I will have left.
  • Use Future Perfect to talk about experience by a certain time
    • By next year, I will have visited ten countries.
    • By 2050, scientists will have discovered new planets.

Rules for Using the Future Perfect Tense

  • Use Future Perfect for actions completed before a specific future time

    • By midnight, they will have finished their work.
    • By 8 AM, he will have left the house.
    • By next week, we will have completed our project.

  • Use Future Perfect for expectations or assumptions about the future

    • By now, she will have received the email.
    • By the time they arrive, I will have cleaned the house.
    • He will have finished his exams by next Friday.

  • Use Future Perfect for accomplishments at a future date

    • By next year, I will have earned my degree.
    • By 2030, humans will have landed on Mars.
    • By the time you retire, you will have worked for 40 years.

  • Special Cases & Exceptions:

    The Future Perfect tense is not usually used with stative verbs.

  • Avoid using stative verbs like 'know' and 'believe' in Future Perfect.

    • Incorrect: By next year, I will have known the truth.
    • Correct: By next year, I will know the truth.

  • The time reference in Future Perfect can be explicit or implied.

    • Explicit: By 5 PM, I will have finished my work.
    • Implied: They will have arrived by now. (Implied time reference)
ExampleTenseUse
By next year, I will have completed my degree.Future PerfectAction completed before a future time
By the time you arrive, she will have left.Future PerfectAction completed before another future event
By 2030, humans will have landed on Mars.Future PerfectAccomplishments at a future date
By 8 PM, they will have finished their work.Future PerfectTask completed by a set deadline

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the creators of these videos. These are publicly available resources used to provide additional information on the topic.