What is the Future Perfect Continuous?
The future perfect continuous is a verb that describes unfinished actions but will be finished at some future time.
When to Use:
1. About Duration of an Action
We can use the future perfect continuous to talk about duration of an action “how long” that continues up to another point in in the future.
- In February, she will have been working for seven years.
- By the time you call me, I will have been writing the full report.
- Next year, I will have been studying here for two years.
For Actions that Finishes before another
We use the future perfect continuous to talk about something that finishes just before another time or action. It’s often used because there will be a result at the second point in the future.
- When I see you, I’ll have been studying, so I’ll be tired.
- In November, I will have been working at my company for three years.
- At five o’clock, I will have been waiting for thirty minutes.
- When I turn thirty, I will have been playing piano for twenty-one years.
3 – Information About the Future.
The future continuous is also used to ask for information about the future.
- Will it be raining tonight?
- Will Sara be cooking for us today?
- Will I be reading this entire book tomorrow?
- Will we be going to the party next week?
How to Use:
The future perfect continuous is composed of two elements:
- The future perfect of the verb “to be” (will have been).
- The present participle of the main verb (base + ing).
| Subject | Will have been | Present participle |
|---|---|---|
| I | will have been | playing. |
Positive Form of the future perfect continuous
- I will have been working
- You will have been sleeping
- She will have been studying
- He will have been cooking
- It will have been raining
- We will have been exercising
- They will have been travelling
Negative of the future perfect continuous
- I will not have been working
- You will not have been sleeping
- She will not have been studying
- He will not have been cooking
- It will not have been raining
- We will not have been exercising
- They will not have been travelling
Asking Questions in The Future Perfect Continuous
’Yes / No’ Questions:
- Will I have been working?
- Will you have been sleeping?
- Will she have been studying?
- Will he have been cooking?
- Will it have been raining?
- Will we have been exercising?
- Will they have been travelling?
’Wh’ Questions:
- Where will I have been working?
- Why will you have been sleeping?
- Where will she have been studying?
- What will he have been cooking?
- How long will it have been raining?
- Where will we have been exercising?
- How long will they have been travelling?
