Future perfect continuous tense

1. Definition of Future Perfect Continuous Tense

The Future Perfect Continuous Tense is a tense in modern English. It is used to describe an action that has been ongoing up to a specific point in the future.

2. Structure of Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Where:

- S (subject): The subject of the sentence.

- Will & have: Auxiliary verbs.

- Been: Past participle of the verb "to be".

- V-ing: Verb with the "ing" suffix.

2.1. Affirmative Sentences

S + will + have + been + V-ing

✎ Note:

- "Been" always follows "have".

- The passive form of the future perfect continuous tense: Will + have + been + being + V3/ed (Example: Nobody has any clue as to who will have been being elected president during the 2034 term of the presidency.)

Examples:

- By the end of this year, I will have been playing chess for 2 years.

- At the end of this month, she will have been learning yoga for 2 months.

2.2. Negative Sentences

S + will + not + have + been + V-ing

✎ Note:

Add "not" immediately after the auxiliary verb "will". "Will not" can be contracted to "won't".

Examples:

- I won't have been playing sports for 3 months until the end of this year.

- I won't have been shopping for 3 months until the end of the year.

2.3. Interrogative Sentences

Will + S + have + been + V-ing ?

Responses:

- Yes, S + will

- No, S + won't

✎ Note:

In interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb "will" is placed at the beginning.

Questions using "what, how, when, why, etc." follow this structure: Wh-word + will + S + have + been + V-ing ? (Example: How long will you have been playing chess by the end of the year?)

Examples:

- Will she have been teaching for 5 years by the end of next year?

- Will you have been playing basketball for 2 years by the end of this month?

3. Uses of Future Perfect Continuous Tense

3.1. Expressing an action that occurs and continues up to a certain point in the future

Examples:

• I will have been studying English for 10 years by the end of next year.
• By August 20th, I will have been working for this company for 20 years.

3.2. Emphasizing the continuity of an action compared to another action in the future

Examples:

• When I get my degree, I will have been studying at Cambridge for six years.
• They will have been talking with each other for 4 hours by the time I get home.

4. Indicators of Future Perfect Continuous Tense

- by then: Up to that time

- by this December,…: Up to this December

- by the end of this week/month/year: Up to the end of this week/month/year

- by the time + a clause in the simple present tense

5. Notes When Using Future Perfect Continuous Tense

➣ The future perfect continuous tense is not used with clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless… Instead, you can use the present perfect continuous tense.

Example:

You won’t get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim (incorrect).

=> You won’t get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Nad. (correct)