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Exercises · Future perfect or future perfect continuous

Future perfect or future perfect continuous gap-fill

Type the correct form of the verb in brackets. Contractions (I’ve, she’s) and full forms (I have, she has) are both accepted.

Need a refresher? Review the rules in Future perfect and future perfect continuous in our Verb Tenses in Business guide.

Quick rules

will have done

Something will be finished before a time in the future – often with ‘by’, or with how many.

We will have finalised the report by Friday.

will have been doing

How long something will have been happening up to a moment in the future.

By then, we will have been working on it for two years.

why you will be tired

The continuous form explains a future situation.

We’ll be tired, because we will have been travelling all day.

by the time / when + present

Not ‘will’ after these words.

By the time the client arrives, we’ll have finished.

1. Finished by a deadline

Will something be complete by a time in the future – or how many?

Rules: Future perfect and future perfect continuous

1I (finalise) the report by Friday.

2By the end of the year, we (sign) 50 new clients.

3We can meet at 7 if you like. I (finish) work by then.

4By the time the investors arrive, we (prepare) all the documents.

5By 2030, the company (be) in business for 50 years.

2. How long, up to a future moment

For two years, all day, all week…

Rules: Future perfect and future perfect continuous

1By the time the factory is finished, we (work) on it for two years.

2By December, I (work) at this company for ten years.

3By 5pm, we (negotiate) for nine hours without a break.

4In June, I (study) English with my coach for three years.

5By the end of the month, the team (test) the new system for six weeks.

3. Why you will be tired

A long activity – or a finished amount?

Rules: Future perfect and future perfect continuous

1I don’t think I’ll come for drinks tonight. I (work) all day, so I’ll probably be too tired.

2When we arrive at the hotel, we’ll be tired, because we (travel) all day.

3By the time I get home, I (sit) in meetings for ten hours.

4I’ll be tired on Monday, because I (only / sleep) for a few hours.

5The team will be exhausted by Friday – they (work) late every night this week.

4. After ‘by the time’, ‘when’ and ‘until’

The present simple (or present perfect) – never ‘will’.

Rules: Future perfect and future perfect continuous

1By the time the client (arrive) at the office, we will have finished the presentation.

2When we (land) in Singapore, we’ll have been travelling for 14 hours.

3By the time the construction (be) finished, we will have been working on it for two years.

4We won’t sign anything until the lawyers (check) the contract.

5As soon as the auditors (finish) their work, I’ll send you the report.

5. Mixed review

All the forms together.

Rules: Future perfect and future perfect continuous

1I’ve organised a meeting for next Friday, because we (finish) the project by then.

2Don’t call me after midnight – I (go) to bed by then.

3If the negotiations continue until 5pm, we (talk) for eight hours.

4By this time tomorrow, I (make) my decision about the job offer.

5I’m leaving the company next year. By then, I (work) there for ten years.

Check a section to see your score here.

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