(1) Completion of an action before a specific point in the future:
Examples:
- By the time she arrives, I will have finished cooking dinner.
- They will have graduated by the end of this academic year.
- By next month, he will have traveled to five different countries.
- By the time we reach the theater, the movie will have already started.
- By the time the guests arrive, we will have decorated the house.
(2) Predictions or assumptions about past events in the future:
Examples:
- I’m sure they will have enjoyed their vacation.
- By tomorrow, the sales team will have closed several deals.
- I believe he will have found a new job by next week.
- The project will have been completed by the time the client reviews it.
- By the time the exam is over, you will have remembered the answers.
(3) Imagining a past scenario from a future perspective:
Examples:
- In five years, we will have looked back on this moment and laughed.
- By the time we are old, we will have shared so many memories.
- When you return, I will have missed you so much.
- By the time I retire, I will have worked for 40 years.
- In the future, we will have accomplished great things together.
(4) Expressing regrets or assumptions about missed opportunities:
Examples:
- I will have regretted not taking that job offer.
- By the time I realize it, the opportunity will have passed.
- They will have wished they had listened to my advice.
- I fear that by the time we recognize the problem, it will have escalated.
- By the time she understands, I will have moved on.
(5) Hypothetical situations or conditions:
Examples:
- If he doesn’t arrive on time, we will have started without him.
- If you haven’t finished your work, you will have failed the assignment.
- If they miss the flight, they will have lost their chance for a refund.
- If I don’t practice regularly, I will have forgotten how to play the piano.
- If it rains tomorrow, the event will have been postponed.
(6) Expressing assumptions or expectations about a future event:
Examples:
- By this time next year, he will have become a renowned author.
- I’m confident that they will have achieved their goals by the end of the quarter.
- By the time we reach retirement age, we will have saved enough for a comfortable life.
- I expect that she will have mastered the skill by the time of the competition.
- By the time the conference starts, they will have finalized the presentation.
(7) Speculating about the cause or reason for a future event:
Examples:
- By the time he gets home, she will have left for work.
- If they don’t hurry, they will have missed the train.
- By next year, the company will have expanded its operations globally.
- If she studies diligently, she will have passed the exam with flying colors.
- By the time the baby is born, they will have redecorated the nursery.
(8) Narrating a sequence of events in the future:
Examples:
- After we finish dinner, we will have watched a movie.
- By the time he wakes up, she will have already left for work.
- Once they arrive, we will have set up the equipment.
- After the concert ends, we will have taken pictures with the band.
- When the sun sets, they will have completed their hike.
(9) Expressing conditions or consequences in hypothetical situations:
Examples:
- If they haven’t finished the project by the deadline, they will have to face penalties.
- If she doesn’t catch the train, she will have to wait for the next one.
- Unless they start studying now, they will have failed the exam.
- If we don’t save enough money, we will have to postpone our vacation.
- If he misses the flight, he will have to reschedule his meeting.
Here are some time expression words commonly used with the future perfect tense:
- By tomorrow
- In a week
- By next month
- In five years
- By the end of the day
- In two hours
- By the time I arrive
- In the morning
- By next summer
- In a few minutes
- By this time next year
- In a month’s time
- By the weekend
- In ten days
- By the stroke of midnight
- In the near future
- By the time the sun sets
- In a matter of moments