Future Continuous & Future Perfect
B1 Upper-Intermediate
Progress vs Completion
Overview & forms
| Tense | Build | Idea | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Future Continuous | will be + -ing | in progress at or around a future time; polite questions about plans | This time tomorrow, I’ll be flying to Berlin. • Will you be joining us? |
| Future Perfect | will have + past participle | completed before a future time; length of a state up to that time | By Friday, they’ll have finished. • In 2030, we’ll have lived here for ten years. |
Contractions: I’ll, won’t. Questions: Will you be…? / Will you have…?
Future Continuous — uses
- Action in progress at a future time At nine tonight, she’ll be taking her exam.
- Parallel future background sets the scene around another future event: When you arrive, I’ll be waiting at the platform.
- Plans & arrangements (neutral) similar to the present continuous for arrangements but more impersonal/routine: We’ll be leaving at 8 a.m.
- Polite enquiries softer than Will you…?: Will you be using the car tonight?
Signal time phrases
- this time + future period: this time next week
- at + time/day: at ten tomorrow
- in + period / in X time: in two months / in two months’ time
- when + present simple: When you get off the train, …
Future Continuous — forms
| Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| I’ll be working at 6. | I won’t be working at 6. | Will you be working at 6? |
| They’ll be staying with us. | They won’t be staying with us. | Where will they be staying? |
Less common passive: The road will be being repaired (often avoided → The road will be under repair).
Future Perfect — uses
- Finished before a future time By this time tomorrow, I’ll have submitted the report.
- Duration up to a future time (often with stative verbs): In July, she’ll have worked here for five years.
- Deadlines & expectations By the time you arrive, we’ll have left.
Signal time phrases
- by + time: by tomorrow / by next week / by 2050 (=not later than)
- by this time + future period
- in + period: in two weeks / in five years
- when / before + present: When you arrive, …
Future Perfect — forms
| Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| She’ll have finished by noon. | She won’t have finished by noon. | Will she have finished by noon? |
| They’ll have lived here for ten years. | They won’t have lived here for ten years. | How long will they have lived here by 2030? |
Passive is common: The bridge will have been completed by July.
Choosing the right future
| Meaning you want | Best form | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Simple fact/schedule | will / be going to / present simple for timetables | The train leaves at 9. • It will rain later. |
| Action happening at a moment in the future | future continuous | At 9, I’ll be driving. |
| Action finished before a moment in the future | future perfect | By 9, I’ll have arrived. |
Time clauses rule (very important!)
- After when, before, after, until, as soon as, use the present to refer to the future.
- ✔ When you arrive, I’ll be waiting. • ✖ When you will arrive…
- With by the time we often use the present perfect in the clause: By the time you’ve finished, the shop will have closed.
Mini contrasts & style notes
- Future continuous vs present continuous (arrangements): I’m leaving at 8 = personal plan; I’ll be leaving at 8 = neutral, part of a schedule.
- Future perfect vs present perfect: I’ve finished (now); I’ll have finished by 6 (before 6 in the future).
- With stative verbs (know, be, have (possession), like): use future perfect for duration: By June we’ll have known each other for a year.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- ❌ Future form inside time clauses: *When I will get home…* → ✔ When I get home…
- ❌ Using future continuous for certainty about a finished action: use future perfect: By 8 they’ll have eaten, not *will be eating*.
- ❌ Forgetting “by” meaning “no later than”: by Friday = on or before Friday.
- ❌ Overusing rare passives like will be being built; prefer simpler phrases when possible.
Exercises:
Future Continuous & Future Perfect
Choose the correct forms of the future continuous and future perfect to complete the sentences.
1
Don’t call between 6 and 7. We
dinner then.
2
Call me after 7:30. We
dinner by then.
3
At 10 a.m. tomorrow I
my French exam.
4
By next June, the team
the new app.
5
This time tomorrow, she
across the desert.
6
At five o’clock, the library
.
7
If you call at eight, I
at the gym.
8
By the time you get home tonight, I
the report to you.
9
In 2030, autonomous taxis
most trips downtown.
10
By the end of this course, we
at least 2,000 new words.
Future Continuous & Future Perfect
Choose the correct forms of the future continuous and future perfect for the sentences below.
1
When we reach San Diego, we’ll need a break — we _____ around 600 miles.
A.
B.
C.
2
By the time you call tonight, I _____ the emails and be free to chat.
A.
B.
C.
3
At 9 p.m. tomorrow I _____ on my presentation slides, so please don’t ring.
A.
B.
C.
4
Don’t phone between two and three — I _____ an exam then.
A.
B.
C.
5
By 2035 the company _____ the new line for twenty years.
A.
B.
C.
6
Come at 6:30. We _____ by then, so you can join us for dessert.
A.
B.
C.
7
This time next week we _____ on a beach in Crete.
A.
B.
C.
8
When you land, I _____ outside arrivals with a sign.
A.
B.
C.
9
If you start now, _____ the report by Monday?
A.
B.
C.
10
At 8:15 the film _____, so don’t be late.
A.
B.
C.
Future Continuous & Future Perfect
Complete the text with the future continuous or the future perfect of the verbs in brackets. Do NOT use contracted forms
1
Technology is advancing so fast that by the year 2050, who knows what new technologies we
(invent).
2
It is quite likely that by 2050, we
(use up)
most of the earth's natural resources and so we
(rely)
on wind and solar power.
4
As there will be a shortage of energy, it is quite likely that at that time scientists
(try)
to find a way for us to live outside the earth.
5
Before the end of the next century, it is possible that people
(live)
in cities on the Moon or perhaps in cities on the seabed.
6
By 2050, it is possible that scientists
(already/discover)
how to cure diseases such as cancer,
and due to the advancement of genetic engineering, perhaps hereditary diseases passed down from generation to generation
(disappear)
forever.
8
It is quite possible that by 2050 life expectancy
(increase)
to 100 and that we
(enjoy)
a healthier existence.
10
Another area likely to have been affected by technology in the year 2050 is education. Many students
(study)
online from their homes.