Future Perfect Tense

What does the future perfect tense help us talk about?

• An action that will be finished before another point in the future

• An action that is happening right now

• An action that happened a long time ago

• An action that will start at some point in the future

Answer explanation

The future perfect tense is used to show that an action will be completed by a specific time or before another event in the future. The other options describe the present continuous, past, or simple future tenses.

Which set of words correctly shows the formula for the future perfect tense?

• will be + verb-ing

• will have + past participle

• have + past participle

• will + base verb

Answer explanation

The future perfect tense is always formed with the modal verb 'will', followed by 'have', and then the past participle form of the main verb (e.g., 'will have finished'). The other options represent the future continuous, present perfect, and simple future tenses.

True or False: To form the future perfect tense, you use 'will have' followed by the present-tense form of a verb.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is false because the future perfect tense requires the past participle form of the verb after 'will have', not the present-tense form. For example, you would say 'will have eaten', not 'will have eat'.

Complete the sentence: By next summer, my brother _____ from middle school.

• will graduate

• graduates

• will have graduated

• has graduated

Answer explanation

The phrase 'By next summer' sets a future deadline, so we need the future perfect 'will have graduated' to show the action will be complete by then. The other forms do not show completion before a future point.

Which of these sentences is written correctly in the future perfect tense?

• She will has finished her homework by 8 PM.

• They will have visit their grandparents next month.

• He will have read the entire book by Friday.

• I will had cleaned my room before mom gets home.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly uses the structure 'will have + past participle' (read). The other sentences contain errors: using 'has' instead of 'have', using the base verb 'visit' instead of the past participle 'visited', and using 'had' instead of 'have'.

Complete the sentence: I'm so full! I definitely _____ my dinner by the time dessert arrives.

• won't finish

• will have finished

• won't have finished

• haven't finished

Answer explanation

This sentence requires the negative future perfect to show that the action (finishing dinner) will not be complete before the future event (dessert arriving). 'Won't have finished' is the correct negative form.

True or False: The question 'Will you have finished the video game by then?' is a correct way to ask about a future completed action.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is a correctly formed Yes/No question in the future perfect tense. It follows the structure 'Will + subject + have + past participle' to ask if an action will be complete by a future time.

Complete the question: How many cookies _____ by the time your friends get here?

• will you have eaten

• will you eat

• do you eat

• have you eaten

Answer explanation

This Wh- question asks about an action completed before a future event ('by the time your friends get here'), requiring the future perfect tense. 'Will you have eaten' correctly follows the 'Wh-word + will + subject + have + past participle' structure.

Complete the sentence: By the time the guests arrive, we _____ the whole house.

• are cleaning

• will clean

• cleaned

• will have cleaned

Answer explanation

The time clause 'By the time the guests arrive' sets a future point. The main clause needs the future perfect 'will have cleaned' to show the cleaning is completed before that point.

Which sentence correctly shows that you will finish saving money *before* the new game is released?

• I will save my money when the new game is released.

• By the time the new game is released, I will have saved my money.

• After the new game is released, I will save my money.

• I have saved my money for the new game.

Answer explanation

The future perfect tense ('will have saved') correctly shows that the action of saving money will be completed before the future event ('the new game is released'). The other options change the sequence of events.