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Future Perfect Continuous and the Future in the Past

Future Perfect Continuous and the Future in the Past

Reference

Rule Example
duration to a future pointwill have been + -ingI'll have been living here for ten years.
future from the pastwould / was going toShe knew she would be late.
very nearbe about to / on the point ofI was about to call.
scheduledbe due toThe plane is due to land at six.
certainbe bound toIt's bound to rain.
official / destinybe to · was to (have)Passengers are to remain seated.

Common mistakes

  1. By 2030 I will be living here for twenty years. → By 2030 I will have been living here for twenty years.
    duration up to a future point
  2. I was about calling you. → I was about to call you.
    be about to + infinitive
  3. She knew she will win. → She knew she would win.
    future seen from the past → would
  4. It's bound raining tomorrow. → It's bound to rain tomorrow.
    be bound to + infinitive

Future Perfect Continuous and the Future in the Past — Exercises

Choose the correct form

Circle the correct answer.

  1. By next month, we _____ in this flat for a year. (will have been living / will be living / will live)
  2. I _____ leave when the phone rang. (was about to / was due / would)
  3. Nobody knew then that she _____ become a famous writer. (would / will / is going to)
  4. The train is _____ arrive at platform 4 at 9.15. (due to / bound / about)
  5. Don't worry — he's _____ call. He always does. (bound to / due to / about to)
  6. The concert _____ have been held in the park, but it moved indoors. (was to / was bound to / would)
  7. Passengers _____ keep their seatbelts fastened. (are to / are bound / are about)
  8. The new stadium is _____ open next spring. (set to / bound / on the point)

Complete the sentence

Write the missing words.

  1. By the time you arrive, I   for three hours. (wait)
  2. We were   to leave when it started snowing.
  3. I was sure the plan   work. (future in the past)
  4. The meeting is   to start at ten. (scheduled)
  5. She was on the   of quitting when she got the offer.
  6. With all this traffic, we're   to be late. (certain)

Future Perfect Continuous and the Future in the Past — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

  1. will have been living — Duration up to a future point → will have been living.
  2. was about to — Very near in the past → was about to.
  3. would — Future seen from the past → would.
  4. due to — Scheduled → due to.
  5. bound to — Certain → bound to.
  6. was to — Planned but didn't happen → was to have + PP.
  7. are to — Official instruction → are to.
  8. set to — Expected, planned → set to.

Complete the sentence

  1. will have been waiting
  2. about
  3. would
  4. due
  5. point
  6. bound