Explanations » B1+ Grammar Explanations » Future continuous, future perfect
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Future continuous – Grammar chart

Future continuous

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Future continuous – Use

Actions in progress in the future

We use the future continuous for situations or actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

  • This time next week, we‘ll be travelling to Paris. 
  • Tomorrow at 10, you‘ll be doing your exam. 
  • When you get off the train, I‘ll be waiting on the platform. 
  • In two months’ time, we‘ll be lying on the beach and drinking a mojito. 

Future arrangements (=present continuous)

We use the future continuous instead of the present continuous for future events that have already been planned or decided.

  • We’ll be coming next weekend.
  • We’ll be leaving at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

 

Future continuous: signal words

As you can see in the examples above, we often use the future continuous with time expressions such as:

  • This time … (this time tomorrow, this time next week, etc.)
  • When …
  • At + time … (at 7 tomorrow, at midday next Monday, etc.)
  • In … (in 2 weeks, in 3 months, in 5 years, etc)
  • In …’ time (in 2 weeks’ time, in 3 months’ time, in 5 years time, etc)

 

Future perfect – Grammar chart

Future perfect

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Future perfect – Use

Actions finished in the future

We use the future perfect for actions that will be finished before certain time in the future.

  • By 2050, researchers will have found a cure for cancer.
  • By this time next year, I’ll have graduated.
  • When you arrive tomorrow, we’ll have left.

Duration until some time in the future

We use the future perfect to talk about the duration of a situation until a certain time in the future.

  • By the time I leave, I will have been in England for 6 months.
  • In 2 years, we will have been married for 20 years.

 

Future perfect: signal words

As you can see in the examples above, we often use the future perfect with time expressions such as:

  • By … (by tomorrow, by next week, by the end of the year, etc.)
  • By this time … (by this time tomorrow, by this time next week, etc.)
  • In … (in 2 weeks, in 5 years, etc.)
  • When/Before …

By + time expression means ‘not later than’, ‘at’ or ‘before’ certain time.