Grammar » B1+ Grammar lessons and exercises » Future continuous and future perfect
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  • Future continuous and future perfect

    Exercise 1

    Choose the correct forms of the future continuous and future perfect for the sentences below.

    Page 1 of 2

    1 When we arrive in Los Angeles, we'll need to rest, because we _______ about 800 miles.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    2 By the time you arrive, I _______ something spectacular and dinner will be on the table waiting for you.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    3 When you get off the train, we _______ for you on the platform.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    4 We _______ on the first train next Monday.
    a.
    b.
    c.
    5 When I travel to England next year, I ________ English for over four years, so I think I'll be ready.
    a.
    b.
    c.

     

  • Future continuous – Grammar chart

    Future continuous

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    Future continuous – Use

    Actions in progress in the future

    We use the future continuous to talk about 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 to talk about 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 seven tomorrow, at midday next Monday, etc.)
    • In … (in two weeks, in three months, in five years, etc.)
    • In …’ time (in two weeks’ time, in three months’ time, in five 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 a 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 six months.
    • In two years, we will have been married for twenty 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 two weeks, in five years, etc.)
    • When/Before …

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

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