If you’ve ever wondered how to express an action that will continue up to a certain point in the future, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore the Future Perfect Continuous tense, break down its structure, and provide you with plenty of examples to make it easy to understand.
What is the Future Perfect Continuous Tense?
It represents an action that is fulfilled after a particular amount of time has passed in the future.
Structure of the Future Perfect Continuous Tense
To form the Future Perfect Continuous tense, you need three main components:
- Subject: This is the person or thing that is performing the action.
- Will have been: These words are used to indicate the future tense.
- Present participle (verb + ing): This part represents the ongoing action.
Now, let’s put these components together in a sentence structure:
Structure: Subject + will have been + verb + ing + time expression.
- I will have been studying for two hours by the time you arrive.
In this sentence:
- Subject: I
- Will have been: will have been
- Verb + ing: studying
- Time expression: for two hours
This example shows that I will start studying at some point in the future and will continue studying for two hours until the moment you arrive.
Affirmative Sentence
- The assisting word “have been” is used after “shall,” and “will.” In the future perfect continuous tense continuous verb (1st verb form with ‘ing’) is used.
- Then, use the “for” and “since”.
- “For” denotes a specific time period, whereas “since” denotes a continuing activity or occurrence in the past.
Formula: Subject + will / shall + have been + basic form of verb + ing + object + since/ for + remaining sentence.
He + will + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
I + shall + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
It + will + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
She + will + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
They + will + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
We + shall + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
You + will + have been + tearing + paper for + an hour.
Examples:
- Alia will have been teaching the students for three hours.
- He will have been mending the walls since morning.
- The gardener will have been looking after the garden for three years.
- We will have been playing in the garden since morning.
Negative Sentence
Between shall/will and have ‘not’ word is used to make a negative sentence.
Formula: Subject + will/shall + not have been + basic form of verb + ing + object + since/for + remaining sentence
He + will + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
I + shall + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
It + will + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
She + will + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
They + will + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
We + shall + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
You + will + not have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour.
Examples:
- I shall not have been taking examinations since 1990.
- They will not have been catching the fishes for two days.
- We shall not have been playing the piano since night.
- Ali will not have been beseeching me for an hour.
- She will not have been reading the lesson for 15 minutes.
Interrogative Sentence
To make an interrogative statement of the future perfect continuous tense helping verb will/shall is used at the start of the sentence before the subject and have been is used after the subject.
Formula: Will/Shall + subject + have been + basic form of verb + ing + object + since/for + remaining sentence?
Will + he + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Shall + I + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Will + it + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Will + she + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Will + they + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Shall + we + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Will + you + have been + tearing + paper + for + an hour?
Examples
- Shall we not have been sleeping since at 8 o’clock?
- Will they have been operating the computer for fifteen minutes?
- Shall I have been misguiding for four days?
- Will they have been solving the sums for three days?
- Shall we have been defeating the enemies?
- Will boys have been reading the books?
When to Use the Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The Future Perfect Continuous tense is used in several situations:
- To describe actions that will continue up to a specific point in the future.
- To emphasize the duration of an ongoing action.
- When discussing future events or plans in a temporal context.
Learn more:
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Future Perfect Continuous | Images
