Future perfect continuous tense in English

This chapter will discuss the English future perfect continuous tense. Future perfect continuous tense refers to actions that are currently unfinished but will be finished in the future. It is often used with an expression in time. 

Structure of the English future perfect continuous tense 

The future perfect continuous is formed by using the future perfect of the verb 'to be' with the present participle of the main verb (verb + ing). 

will have been + present participle

Examples:

• I will have been living.
• They will have been working together for 2 years. 

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How to form the future perfect continuous tense

How the future perfect continuous tense is formed, depends on whether the sentence is:

1. Affirmative: expresses the truth of a certain assertion.
2. Negative: expresses the falsity of a certain assertion. 
3. Interrogative: expresses a question.

1. Affirmatives

Structure: Subject + will have been + present participle + the rest of the sentence.

Examples:

• She will have been walking home since 9 o'clock. 
• They will have been running for 1 hour. 

2. Negatives

Structure: Subject + will not have been + present participle + the rest of the sentence. 

Examples:

• They will not have been working in the company for 2 months.
• He will not have been watching television for 3 hours. 

3. Interrogatives

Structure: Will + subject + have been + present participle + the rest of the sentence + question mark 

Examples:

• Will you have been studying in the new building for a couple of days?
• Will they have been working here since May? 

Usage of the future perfect continuous tense

The future perfect continuous is used in two cases. The table below will show when to use which case. 

Test your knowledge of the future perfect continuous with the exercises below!