B1 Intermediate Verb patterns, future forms, reflexives
Future continuous and perfect
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can say what will be in progress at a future moment and what will be finished before a future point.
When to use it
- An action in progress at a future moment: This time tomorrow I'll be flying to Da Nang.
- An action completed before a deadline: By Friday I'll have finished the report.
- Talking about schedules and long-term plans formally.
Form
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Future continuous | will be + V-ing | I will be working at nine. |
| Future perfect | will have + V3 | I will have finished by nine. |
| Negative | won't be V-ing · won't have V3 | I won't be working. |
| Question | Will + S + be V-ing / have V3? | Will you be using the car? |
Step by step
- Find the time phrase.
- this time tomorrow, at 8 p.m., when you arrive → in progress → will be + V-ing.
- by Friday, by 2030, by the time you arrive → completed → will have + V3.
- Remember: by means at or before, so it pairs with the perfect.
Signal words
| Time phrase | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| this time tomorrow / next week | continuous | I'll be sleeping. |
| at + a specific time | continuous | At six I'll be cooking. |
| by + a point in time | perfect | By six I'll have cooked dinner. |
| by the time + clause | perfect | By the time you come, I'll have left. |
Examples
This time tomorrow I 'll be lying on the beach.
Don't call at seven — I 'll be driving.
By 2030 he will have finished his studies.
By the time the film starts, we 'll have had dinner.
At eight o'clock tonight we 'll be having dinner.
By December she will have worked here for ten years.
Common mistakes
By next month I will finish the course. → By next month I will have finished the course.
by requires the action to be complete by that point → will have + V3.
At nine tonight I will study. → At nine tonight I will be studying.
An action in progress at a precise moment → will be + V-ing.
By 2030 he will be finished his studies. → By 2030 he will have finished his studies.
The two structures are mixed. The perfect is will have + V3, not will be.
Memory tip
Remember one word: by goes with have. Whenever you see by + a time, write will have + V3; other time markers usually take the continuous.
Summary
- will be + V-ing — in progress at a future moment.
- will have + V3 — completed before a future point.
- by always pairs with the perfect.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.