FUTURE PERFECT TENSE EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
B1–B2 · IntermediateA second future perfect exercise focusing on the key distinction between the future perfect and the future simple — the difference between an action completed before a future point and one simply happening at that point. If you haven’t done exercise 1 yet, start there.
Need a refresher? Review the grammar ↓
Choose the correct future perfect form to complete each sentence.
Finished both? Try Will or going to? – Exercise 1 →, or review Exercise 1.
Grammar review
The future perfect — time expressions and contrast with future simple
Once you know the basic structure of the future perfect (will have + past participle), the main challenge is knowing when to use it instead of the future simple (will + base verb).
Future simple vs future perfect:
Will + base verb — describes what will happen:
“He will paint the fence.” (it will happen at some point)
Will have + past participle — describes what will already be done by a certain time:
“He will have painted the fence by Saturday.” (complete before Saturday)
Key signal expressions for the future perfect:
by + time: “By noon, she will have submitted the paperwork.”
by the time + clause: “By the time the guests arrive, we will have set the table.”
in + time period: “In three months, she will have finished her training.”
before + time/event: “Before the show starts, they will have rehearsed twice.”
A practical tip: If you can insert “already” naturally into the sentence and it makes sense, the future perfect is likely the right choice:
“By then, she will have already submitted the paperwork.”
Once you know the basic structure of the future perfect (will have + past participle), the main challenge is knowing when to use it instead of the future simple (will + base verb).
Future simple vs future perfect:
Will + base verb — describes what will happen:
“He will paint the fence.” (it will happen at some point)
Will have + past participle — describes what will already be done by a certain time:
“He will have painted the fence by Saturday.” (complete before Saturday)
Key signal expressions for the future perfect:
by + time: “By noon, she will have submitted the paperwork.”
by the time + clause: “By the time the guests arrive, we will have set the table.”
in + time period: “In three months, she will have finished her training.”
before + time/event: “Before the show starts, they will have rehearsed twice.”
A practical tip: If you can insert “already” naturally into the sentence and it makes sense, the future perfect is likely the right choice:
“By then, she will have already submitted the paperwork.”
