Future Perfect vs Future Perfect Continuous
It is crucial to understand the difference between Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous if you want to master the English language. These two tenses belong to the future period and should be used accurately in both written and spoken English. The following article will guide you through understanding the differences between these two tenses by explaining their meanings with examples and highlighting the distinction between Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous tense.
What is Future Perfect?
The Future Perfect tense is used to describe events that would have or will have occurred under certain conditions. Consider the following sentences:
1. Francis would have achieved the status, had he been a little punctual.
2. Julie would have made it if she had attended the classes regularly.
In both sentences, the forms “would have achieved” and “would have made” indicate the possibilities or events that would have or will have happened under certain conditions. From the first sentence, we understand that if Francis had been a little punctual, he would have achieved the status. From the second sentence, we understand that if Julie had attended the classes regularly, she would have made it. This is an important observation in the study of the Future Perfect tense.
What is Future Perfect Continuous?
On the other hand, the Future Perfect Continuous tense is used to indicate an event that might be happening by now under certain conditions. This is the main difference between Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous tenses. Observe the two sentences below:
1. Robert would have been a professor by now.
2. Angela would have been singing for movies by now.
In both of these sentences, the forms “would have been a professor” and “would have been singing” are used to indicate possibilities or events that might be happening by now under certain conditions.
What is the difference between Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous?
Both Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous are tenses in the English language that fall under the future period. The actions described by these tenses indicate or are somehow connected to the future.
• Future Perfect tense is used to describe events that would have or will have taken place under certain conditions. When using this tense, it indicates that a specific result could be obtained if the doer behaved accordingly.
• Future Perfect Continuous tense is used to indicate an event that might be happening by now under certain conditions. In this tense, the involvement of a condition is also present. However, unlike Future Perfect tense, which is entirely based in the future, Future Continuous tense has a connection with the present as well. This is clearly shown by the examples provided above.
• After considering all of these facts, it can be concluded that the difference between Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous tenses occurs in the time factor. Future Perfect is solely concerned with the future, while Future Perfect Continuous has a link to the present as well.
Key Takeaways
- Future Perfect tense is used to describe events that would have or will have taken place under certain conditions, while Future Perfect Continuous tense is used to indicate an event that might be happening by now under certain conditions.
- Future Perfect is only concerned with the future, whereas Future Perfect Continuous has a link to the present as well.
- The main difference between Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous tenses lies in the time factor and their connection to present or future events.
