Future Perfect Continuous: Will / Shall Have Been + Verb-ing

Learn which tense to use, and why.

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Topic

What does it mean?

Use the future perfect continuous for an activity that will continue up to a future time. It often shows how long the activity has been happening.

I will have been studying for two hours.
She will have been waiting since 7.
We shall have been working all day.
Will you have been reading?
Big idea

Ask: how long will it have been happening?

Duration up to a future timeBy 9, I will have been studying for two hours.The studying continues up to 9.
Before another future actionShe will have been waiting before we arrive.The waiting happens before and up to arrival.
Formal I/weWe shall have been working all morning.Formal future perfect continuous.
How to use it

Use it with duration and a future point.

For + timeI will have been studying for three hours by 8.Length of activity.
Since + startShe will have been working since morning.Starting point.
By the timeBy the time Dad comes, we will have been cleaning for an hour.Duration up to then.
Why use it?

It shows duration before the future moment.

Future perfectI will have finished by 8.The action is complete.
Future perfect continuousI will have been studying for two hours by 8.The activity continues up to 8.
Formal shallWe shall have been practising for weeks.Formal with I/we.
Signal words

Time words can help.

Duration cluesfor two hours, since morning, all day, how longHow long the activity continues.
Future point cluesby 6, by then, before, by the timeThe future point we measure up to.
AskWill the activity have been continuing up to that future time?If yes, use future perfect continuous.
Form reminder

Affirmative forms.

I / We / TheyI will have been working.
They will have been playing.will have been + verb-ing
He / She / ItShe will have been reading.
It will have been raining.No -s after will.
Formal I/weI shall have been working.
We shall have been waiting.shall have been + verb-ing
Form reminder

Negative and question forms.

NegativeI will not have been working.
She won't have been reading.won't have been + verb-ing
QuestionWill you have been waiting?
Will they have been playing?Will + subject + have been + verb-ing?
Short answerYes, I will.
No, she won't.Use will / won't.
Compare

Future perfect or future perfect continuous?

I will have finished by 8.The work is complete before 8.Future perfect.
I will have been working for two hours by 8.The activity continues up to 8.Future perfect continuous.
Why?Will have finished = complete.
Will have been working = duration.Choose from meaning.
Common mistake

Keep the full form: will have been + verb-ing.

CorrectShe will have been writing for two hours.will have been + verb-ing.
CorrectThey won't have been waiting long.won't have been + verb-ing.
Not correctShe will has been writing.
She will have been write.Use have been, then verb-ing.
Sentence completion 1

Choose the correct form.

I ___ for two hours by 8 tonight.

Sentence completion 2

Choose the correct form.

Maha ___ since 7 before we arrive.

Sentence completion 3

Choose the correct question.

___ you have been working long by noon?

MCQ 1

Which sentence is future perfect continuous?

Choose the best sentence.

MCQ 2

Which negative sentence is correct?

Choose the best sentence.

Paragraph completion 1

Fill five blanks.

Choose the correct future perfect continuous form.

By tomorrow morning, we for six hours.
Ali since 4.
Maha for long.
you have been reading all morning?
We for three weeks by then.
Test 1

Mixed question types of 5

Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.

1. Sentence completion

By 9 tonight, Sara ___ for two hours.

2. MCQ

Which sentence shows duration up to a future time?

3. Type the answer

___ they have been working since morning?

4. Type the answer

I ___ for long by noon.

5. MCQ

Which question is correct?

Cumulative result sheet

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