Grammar basics
Future perfect continuous
Use the future perfect continuous for ongoing future actions up to a specific point in time. It shows how long something will have been going on.
Structure
| Sentence | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + will + have + been + V-ing | By next month, I will have been living here for 5 years. |
| Negative | Subject + will + not + have + been + V-ing | She won't have been working here long. |
| Question | Will + subject + have + been + V-ing? | How long will you have been studying by then? |
When to use
How long an action will have continued at a future time
In June, I'll have been learning English for three years.
To explain a future result
After the trip, I'll be tired. I'll have been driving all day.
Learn to understand it first
This is the least common tense in English. Most people use it only to talk about how long. The structure is long, so practice saying it: I'll have been working here for five years.
Time words
These words often go with the future perfect continuous.
By next month
Not later than next month. You can also say by next week or by next year.
By next month, I'll have been working on this app for a year.
For five years
Shows how long. Use for with any length of time.
In 2027, I'll have been coding for five years.
All year
During the whole year.
By December, I'll have been studying English all year.