Future Perfect Continuous Tense: Meaning, Types, Exercises with Answers, Rules, Examples, Preparation Tips

In simple terms, the Future Perfect Continuous Tense, also referred to as Future Perfect Progressive, is a verb tense used while describing an action that will have been going on for a while before a future time.  It emphasises the duration of an event or moment as to how long it will be happening until a future moment. Not to be confused with the future continuous tense and future perfect tense, it is a different topic altogether.

Example: Jane will have been publishing her essay for eight days by next week.

In the example above, you can see that the action is defined by its ongoing nature and duration.

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According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the future perfect continuous tense is defined as “emphasising the length of an event at a time in the future.” This is used when we’re looking back at the past from a point in the future and want to put emphasis on the length or duration of an activity or event.

The structure is “will/ shall + have + been + the –ing” form of the verb.

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Future Perfect Continuous Tense follows a simple sentence structure, much like other future tenses. Check out the structure of the future perfect continuous tense in grammar:

Subject + will/ shall have been + present participle (verb + ing) + object.

Subject: / you/ she/ he/ it/ they

Will/ shall have been: This is a fixed auxiliary phrase used in the sentence construction of this tense.

Verb-ing: The main verb is used in its present participle form.

Let’s understand the structure better with the help of a few examples:

• By next May, I will have been working at this company for two years already.
• At 11 AM, Hannah will have been singing for three hours straight.

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The future continuous tense in English grammar doesn’t have any types of its own, unlike some other tenses. However, it can be used in various contexts or forms depending on the following points:

• Affirmative (positive) sentences
• Negative sentences
• Interrogative sentences

Let’s take a further look at these pointers:

Let us understand how to use future perfect continuous tense in a sentence now that we have familiarised ourselves with the concept and structure of the tense.

For Emphasising Duration Before a Future Time

One of the key uses is to express the duration/ length of time an action will have been taking place before a set point in the future.

Example: By this time next year, I will have been dancing for seven years.

2. To show cause or effect in future

Oftentimes, the tense is used to showcase a cause-and-effect relationship, where the current nature of an action indicates the future result of the same.

Example: Bolt will have been running all day, hence, he will be exhausted by night.

3. To describe future expectations or assumptions

Future Perfect Continuous Tense is also used while describing either a narrative or reflective speech that expresses expectations of continued efforts.

Example: I will have been working on this show for months, so I expect positive feedback only.

It is common to mix up your tenses, especially when they sound vaguely similar. Hence, it is crucial to understand the key differences between the Future Continuous and Future Perfect Continuous Tenses.

There are certain time markers which are frequently used with the future perfect continuous tense. These are recurring and will come in handy.            

• By the time + future moment
• For + duration
• When + future action
• By + date/ time

Check out examples for common time expressions used in the future perfect continuous tense:

• By the time my brother completes his Class 12, I will have been going to the office for three years already.
• By night, Shayla will have been relaxing for six hours straight.