Future Perfect
A complete B2 guide to the future perfect for actions that will be complete before a future time. Covers form, common time expressions, and contrast with the future progressive.
The future perfect shows that an action will be complete before a future time.
Form
Use will have + past participle.
| Statement | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| I will have finished. | I will not have finished. | Will you have finished? |
| They will have left. | They will not have left. | Will they have left? |
Completed Before A Future Time
Use the future perfect when you look ahead to a future point and imagine something as already complete.
By 6:00, the meeting will have ended.
By the time we arrive, the film will already have started.
Next year, they will have been married for 25 years.
Common Time Expressions
| Time expression | Example |
|---|---|
| by + time | I will have sent the report by Friday. |
| by the time + clause | By the time you read this, I will have left. |
| before + time/clause | She will have finished before dinner. |
Use a present tense after by the time when the meaning is future.
Correct: By the time you arrive, I will have finished.
Incorrect: By the time you will arrive, I will have finished.
Future Perfect Or Future Progressive
| Focus | Example |
|---|---|
| completed before a future time | At 8:00, I will have finished dinner. |
| in progress at a future time | At 8:00, I will be eating dinner. |
Common Mistakes
| Avoid | Use |
|---|---|
| I will have finish. | I will have finished. |
| By the time he will arrive | By the time he arrives |
| At 9:00, I will have working. | At 9:00, I will have finished work. |
Practice
By noon, I will have ___ the report.
Summary
Use the future perfect for actions that will be complete before a future time: will have + past participle. It often appears with by, by the time, and before. Use present simple, not will, in the future time clause.