The future perfect tense is a crucial grammatical structure that frequently appears in IELTS examinations, particularly in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3. This complex tense allows candidates to express actions that will be completed before a specific point in the future, demonstrating sophisticated language use that can help achieve higher band scores.
Future perfect tense is essential for discussing future accomplishments, predictions, and planned activities in both academic and general contexts.
Future Perfect Tense Structure and Components
Structure and Formation
The basic structure follows:
Subject + will have + past participle + (time reference)
Examples:
- “By 2025, researchers will have developed a cure for this disease.”
- “The construction company will have completed the project before the deadline.”
- “Scientists will have discovered new planetary systems by the end of this decade.”
Sentences with future perfect passive can add another layer of complexity to showcase advanced grammar usage.
Common Uses in IELTS Writing
Task 2 Essays
When discussing future developments or predictions:
- “By 2030, most countries will have implemented strict environmental policies.”
- “Many cities will have transformed into smart cities within the next decade.”
Future Perfect Applications in IELTS Writing
Task 1 Reports
For describing projected completions:
- “According to the graph, global temperatures will have risen by 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.”
- “The population will have doubled by the year 2040.”
Speaking Test Applications
Future Perfect Continuous can be combined with future perfect for more sophisticated responses in Speaking Part 3.
Example responses:
- “I believe that by next year, I will have achieved all my career goals.”
- “The technology sector will have undergone significant changes by the time I graduate.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect verb form:
- ❌ “They will having completed”
- ✓ “They will have completed“
- Wrong time reference:
- ❌ “I will have finished yesterday”
- ✓ “I will have finished by tomorrow”
Common Mistakes in Future Perfect Usage
Band Score Enhancement
For Band 7+:
- Combine with other tenses naturally
- Use appropriate time markers
- Include complex structures
Example (Band 8):
“While some experts predict that we will have solved the energy crisis by 2040, others believe that sustainable solutions will have barely begun to make an impact.”
Use of future perfect continuous for actions that will be ongoing at a future point can further enhance your responses.
Practice Questions
- Discuss how technology will have changed education by 2030.
- Explain what changes your city will have undergone in the next decade.
- Describe how climate initiatives will have impacted global warming by 2050.
Remember to practice these structures regularly and integrate them naturally into your responses rather than forcing them into your answers.
