The use of the Future Perfect in the Past

The Future Perfect in the Past is used to denote an action completed by (before) a definite moment, which was future from the point of view of the Past.

E.g. I wondered if they would have reached the place by that time. We were sure they would have arranged everything by the time I called on them.

The Future Perfect Continuous in the Past

The Future Perfect Continuous in the Past is formed by means of the Future Perfect in the Past of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle І of the notional verb.

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I should have been working.	Should I have been working?	I should not have been working.
He (she) would have been working.	Would he (she) have been working?	He (she) would not have been working.
We should have been working.	Should we have been working?	We should not have been working.
You would have been working.	Would you have been working?	You would not have been working.
They would have been working.	Would they have been working?	They would not have been working.

The use of the Future Perfect Continuous in the Past

The Future Perfect Continuous in the Past denotes an action lasting a certain period of time before a definite moment, which was future from the point of view of the past.

E.g. I wondered how long they would have been staying there by the time I came. She told us she would have been working at school for 20 years by the end of August.

Exercises

Ex.1. Transform the following sentences using the Future Indefinite in the Past (after the verb in one of the past tenses in the main clause); mind the changes.

Model: They will be ready in no time.→ We were sure they would be ready in no time.

1. They will leave for Kiev next week.

2. Bob will return from France in two days.

3. We shall stay at home tomorrow.

4. I shall go to see my mother in the evening.

5. Mary will lecture History after she graduates from the Institute.

6. It will freeze hard, I hope.

7. When shall we meet again, Rose?

8. I shall ring you up at 6 o’clock next Sunday.

9. She will sing in a concert tomorrow.

10. Will you be free tonight?

Ex. 2. Write the following sentences in indirect speech using the Future Indefinite in the Past (mind the changes).

1. I said, “I know for sure I shall be too busy tomorrow.”

2. My friend said, “We’ll take four exams this summer.”

3. Bon said, “Will you show me the main building of the Institute?”

4. She asked me, ”Will you be angry with me?”

5. The students said, “We’ll work hard at our pronunciation, we want to get rid of our mistakes.”

6. Nelly asked me, “Will you invite me to your birthday party?”

7. They asked me, “When will you join our sports club?”

8. Jenny asked her friend, “Where will you go for the weekend?”

9. Nick said, “ The day will be very cold, I’m sure.”

10. Tom said, ”We shall take part in this very difficult but interesting work.”

Ex.3. Use the appropriate form of the Future in the Past instead of the Infinitives in brackets (mind time indicators).

1. We were sure we (to know) the results in a week’s time.

2. She warned me not to call on her at 5 o’clock. She (to prepare) for the conference.

3. My friend inquired me when the big match (to begin).

4. We hoped they (not to forget) all that by the next day.

5. I was sure I (to finish) everything by the time you got back home.

6. The teacher told the students that by the end of the academic year they (to read) five of Show’s play.

7. The guide said that the aspect of the city (to change) greatly by the end of 2007.

8. In her letter she wrote that she (to stay) in London for two months by the 1^st of July.

9. She phoned me to stay that she (to wait) for me at the hotel at midday.

10. Hob said that at that very time they to fly) to Spain.

11. We were sure it (to stop) raining by the evening.

Ex.4. Translate the following sentences into English using the Future in the Past.

1. Боб пообіцяв прийти. Я був впевнений, що він знову буде розповідати свої забавні історії.

2. Ми не могли повірити, що оволодіємо англійською мовою до кінця другого курсу.

3. Вони повідомили, що до кінця року вони завершать свої дослідження.

4. Я здивувалася, коли дізналася, що вона викладатиме у школі вже 15 років до 1 вересня.

5. Він поцікавився, коли я дам йому цю статтю.

6. Я не був впевнений, чи впізнає вона мене, коли побачить.

7. Вона пообіцяла, що поговорить зі мною, як тільки дізнається про результати.

8. Я міг уявити, що будуть робити мої батьки, коли я повернусь: батько буде дивитися свою улюблену телепрограму, а мати – готувати мій улюблений пиріг.

9. Олена сказали Миколі, що приєднається до нього через деякий час, якщо він почекає на неї.

10. Мої друзі зараз у Болгарії. Вони написали у своєму листі, що до кінця місяця вони будуть гостювати там вже чотири тижні.

Ex.5. Transform the following sentences so as to use the corresponding Future in the Past Tenses. Make use of the suggestions in brackets.

Model: I supposed he was working at his report (from 5 till 9). → I supposed he would be working at his report from 5 till 9 o’clock.

1. She informed us she would arrive at 6 o’clock (by 6 o’clock).

2. The secretary said she would send the letters at midday (by midday).

3. He was sure he would come back at the end of the week (by the end of the week).

4. My brother said they would operate on him in a day or two (at that time the next day).

5. I was sure he would be digging in the garden when I came (for about an hour).

6. Boris said he would play tennis in the evening (all that time).

7. The guide remarked that about 20000 people had seen that exhibition (by the end of the month).

8. I knew they would be discussing the problem when I came (for an hour).

Ex.6. Translate what is given in brackets into English using the Future in the Past or the Past Indefinite.

1. I wondered if he (поїде до Криму).

2. We did not know when he (прийде).

3. They were sure he (буде тяжко працювати) if he tried.

4. He hoped he (напише третій акт п’єси) by the end of the month.

5. I expected he (стане дорослим) by the time I (повернуся додому).

6. She was sure I (забуду про неї) by the time she returned.

7. I told him to wait when he (прийде), but I didn’t know when he (прийде).

8. My mother said she (розкаже про секрет) as soon as the mother (закінчить пакувати речі).

9. The teacher said she (перевірить) our compositions after we (зберемо) them.

10. I warned him I (поговорю з ним) about it if I (побачу його сьогодні).

Ex.7. В.Ф. Руцька, “A Practical Grammar of English”, ex.6. “Report people’s promises”.