The future perfect continuous tense is used to describe ongoing actions or events that will happen and continue up until a specific point in the future. It is formed by using the future perfect continuous tense of the auxiliary verb (will have been) along with “ing form” of main verb.
(A) Spelling rules for creating “ing form” of verb:
(1) Regular Verbs:
For regular verbs, simply add “-ing” to the base form of the verb.
Examples:
- talk + ing = talking
- play + ing = playing
- cook + ing = cooking
- dance + ing = dancing
- sing + ing = singing
(2) Verbs ending in “e”:
If a verb ends in “e,” drop the “e” and add “-ing” to form the present participle.
Examples:
- bake – e + ing = baking
- ride – e + ing = riding
- smile -e + ing = smiling
- hike – e + ing = hiking
- dive – e + ing = diving
(3) Verbs with “ee” or “oe” at the end:
If a verb ends with “ee” or “oe,” add “-ing” without any changes.
Examples:
- agree + ing = agreeing
- flee + ing = fleeing
- hoe + ing = hoeing
- pee + ing = peeing
- foresee + ing = foreseeing
(4) Verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern:
If a verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern and is stressed on the final syllable, double the final consonant before adding “-ing.”
Examples:
- swim + m + ing = swimming
- cut + t + ing = cutting
- sit + t + ing = sitting
- get + t + ing = getting
- put + t + ing = putting
(5) Verbs ending in “w,” “x,” or “y”:
For verbs ending in “w,” “x,” or “y,” simply add “ing” to form the past continuous tense.
Examples:
- Bow + ing = Bowing
- Mix + ing = Mixing
- Play + ing = Playing
- Enjoy + ing = Enjoying
- Employ + ing = Employing
(6) Verbs ending in “ie”:
If a verb ends in “ie,” change the “ie” to “y” and add “-ing.”
Examples:
- die – ie + y + ing = dying
- tie – ie + y + ing = tying
- lie – ie + y + ing = lying
- vie – ie + y + ing = vying
- untie – ie + y + ing = untying
(7) Verbs ending in “y”:
If a verb ends in “y” and the “y” is preceded by a consonant, simply add “-ing” to create the “-ing” form.
Examples:
- try + ing = trying
- fly + ing = flying
- carry + ing = carrying
- cry + ing = crying
- apply + ing = applying
(B) Since vs For
In the future perfect continuous tense, we use “since” and “for” to indicate the duration or starting point of an action or event.
“Since” is used to specify the starting point of an action or event.
“For” is used to specify the length of time an action or event occurred.
(1) Here are five examples of “Since” in the future perfect continuous tense:
- She will have been living in that house since 2010.
- By next week, he will have been working at the company since he graduated from college.
- They will have been friends since they were children.
- By the time the event takes place, he will have been practicing the piano since he was five years old.
- She will have been working in the field of medicine since she completed her medical degree.
(2) Here are five examples of “For” in the future perfect continuous tense:
- I will have been studying for six hours by the time the exam starts.
- They will have been traveling for three weeks when they finally reach their destination.
- By next month, she will have been working at the company for two years.
- He will have been waiting in line for an hour before the concert begins.
- By the end of the day, we will have been gardening for five hours straight.
These examples show how “since” and “for” are used in the future perfect continuous tense to indicate the duration or starting point of an action or event.