he finished his homework

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

What is the difference between 'finished' and 'completed'?

What is the difference between 'finished' and 'completed' , as both words gives the same meaning?

Ex 1: He finished his homework. Ex 2: He completed his homework.

And also how or where to use these words?

Dictionary Reference: Completed: Finish making or doing. Finished: Brought to an end; completed.

As for me both sentences have the same meaning. So is there any real difference between them?

• The words can have the exact same meaning, especially in the sentence you ask about. –  user6951 Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 12:06
• 4 When you marry a right woman you are complete. When you marry a wrong woman you are finished. When the right woman sees you with the wrong woman, you are completely finished. –  maha Commented Jun 27, 2015 at 7:16
• I think the two words (complete and finish) carry the same meaning –  user28001 Commented Dec 23, 2015 at 13:56
• In most cases where completed is correct you could say finished instead, but the reverse is not true. Finished [verb]ing usually can't be changed to completed [verb]ing . Here are some examples that work only with finish[ed] : "Have you finished eating?" "What time does your shift finish?" "I've not finished exercising." "You're finished." "Finish up for now." (That last one means to stop doing something with the expectation of continuing later.) –  nnnnnn Commented May 21, 2016 at 8:18

6 Answers 6

In many contexts, the meanings are pretty much the same, but you might hear finished more often than completed in casual conversation. For example:

I've finished my shopping. She finished the song. He finished the race.

I could use completed in those sentences – the meaning wouldn't change, but the register might sound off.

The word completed can convey some sense of accomplishment. In the context of a race, it might work when the race is a major achievement:

He completed his first marathon last year.

Homework, though, is not really a major achievement, so I think you'd hear finished more often in casual conversation:

“Joey, where are you going? Did you finish your homework?”

That said, you might see completed in more formal contexts, such as a paper on education, or a course syllabus:

Students must complete six homework assignments during the semester.

I'd like to add a bit about the difference between finish and complete , in hope that it can help "complete" other answers, which are already good, a little. (In other words, I write this as a supplementary answer.)

The striking difference between the two can be observed in the contrast of "You finish me" and "You complete me" .

"You finish me" (or "You finish me off" ) means "You kill me", i.e. you put "the end" to my life.

"You complete me" is normally used between couples, in the sense that one (e.g. a wife) completes the other (e.g. a husband). With her, he is a more "complete" person. Without her, he is "incomplete". A good example of this phrase can be found in Jerry Maguire (one of my favorite movies of all time!):

Jerry Maguire: [babbling and struggling] I love you. You... you complete me. And I just... Dorothy: Shut up, [pause] Dorothy: just shut up. [Pause] Dorothy: You had me at "hello". You had me at "hello". Source: IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/quotes?item=qt0389299

So, once you finish me, my life is "no more".

But once you complete me, my life is "perfect".

Back to your homework sentence ( He completed/finished his homework ), homework is a kind of work. After work reaches its perfect state (i.e. "it's done"), we'll have no more of that work. This is why in the context of work, including your homework , saying either He finished his homework or He completed his homework will have pretty much the same meaning.

• I think you're mixing apples and oranges here. The word complete in "You complete me" has a different meaning than the word complete in "Let's complete the homework assignment tomorrow." They are listed as meanings 8 & 9 in Collins ; one means "finish" while the other means "make more whole or prefect." Besides, everyone knows that "completed" homework assignments are rarely "perfect" assignments – that's why teachers carry red pens! ;^) –  J.R. ♦ Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 20:57

From wordreference :

fin•ish /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ v. to bring or come to an end or to completion to use completely to overcome completely; destroy or kill to put a finish on (wood, metal, etc.)

And still from wordreference :

com•plete /kəmˈplit/ v. to make whole, entire, or perfect to bring to an end ;finish

We can see that finish and complete use each other to define themselves, so they have a very close meaning .

Finish has :

the killing meaning,

the using the whole product meaning

and the surface coating meaning

in addition of the complete common meaning.

While complete has the extra finishing perfectly meaning.

He finished his homework.

He simply ended it, did enought to consider it finished.

He completed his homework.

He ended it correctly, totally, the with success part is tacit.

• 2 -1 The two words mean the same. The boy completed his homework but half his answers were wrong. The boy finished his homework and all his answers were correct. The 'additional' meaning of complete is not always present. In other words, complete can be the same as finish (a synonym) and it can also be different from finish (a different meaning). –  user6951 Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 12:02
• 1 I did not say it was always present, I underlined a tendency. I also say that they are have a very close meaning... it was exagerated on purpose... –  Yohann V. Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 12:14
• Your answer is unclear as written –  user6951 Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 12:16
• Look the bold part –  Yohann V. Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 12:17

I guess most of the times these terms can be used interchangeably.

However, you cannot "complete" something that does not "support being complete" (e.g. we say "finish" one's class or one's day, but not "complete").

Moreover, "finish" has far more definitions and uses than "complete", as stated many times above.

So, to sum it up, where "complete" is used, we can also use "finish" (even if it renders the sentence less formal), but not the vice versa. When we complete something, it comes to an end (it finishes). Nevertheless, when we finish something, it does not necessarily complete.

The same, more or less, meaning of and differences between the two verbs are met in greek as well: Finish -> Tel-iono: telos -> the end (noun) and Complete -> Oloklir-ono: olokliros -> whole, complete (adj.)

No,there is no real difference between 'finished' and 'completed' in the sentence : "He finished / completed his homework" .

But sometimes the verb 'finish' has a negative connotation : the sentence "She finished my life" means 'she ruined my life' . In this context, the verb 'complete' cannot be used. Similarly, the verb 'complete' has a positive connotation : the sentence "You have completed my life" may be a Good Night message for wife, meaning without you, my life is incomplete .

Complete and finish are opposite in meaning but their use can be made to give the same meaning.

Complete is to be wholly made up. Finish is to exhaust, or expended. So in their use in a sentence, they can be used from that opposite direction to convey the same meaning: as in a cup being half filled or half empty.

One can complete his shopping when one has filled the shopping bag with all items to be bought.

One can finish shopping when one has exhausted the items in the shopping list.

• 2 When someone finishes their homework, or a race, they have not exhausted those things in any meaningful way. They've completed them. Likewise, one can finish turning a clay vase, which means it's fully formed, or even finish a tabletop by putting the final coat of lacquer or stain on it, which is known as the wood's "finish". It's true that finish sometimes has the sense of running out or running low, but it's much more common for it to simply mean the same thing as complete: that something is done. –  Nathan Tuggy Commented May 21, 2016 at 7:21

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged meaning difference ..

• Featured on Meta
• Site maintenance - Mon, Sept 16 2024, 21:00 UTC to Tue, Sept 17 2024, 2:00...
• User activation: Learnings and opportunities
• Join Stack Overflow’s CEO and me for the first Stack IRL Community Event in...

Hot Network Questions

• Exam class: \numpages wrong when enforcing an even number of pages
• How can I stop the noise from updating its position when I adjust the spline?
• What is the shortest viable hmac for non-critical applications?
• What came of the Trump campaign's complaint to the FEC that Harris 'stole' (or at least illegally received) Biden's funding?
• What are the pros and cons of the classic portfolio by Wealthfront?
• Is it defamatory to publish nonsense under somebody else's name?
• Movie where a young director's student film gets made (badly) by a major studio
• Why is the area covered by 1 steradian (in a sphere) circular in shape?
• O(nloglogn) Sorting Algorithm?
• Align pictures vertically at bottom in mosaic grid using subcaptionbox
• grouping for stdout
• 4/4 time change to 6/8 time
• Kotlin object expression property scope and shadowing rules
• Analog of Birkhoff's HSP theorem regarding ultraproducts and elementary sublattices
• Why doesn’t the commandment to obliterate Amalek run afoul of children not dying for their father's sins?
• Taylor Swift - Use of "them" in her text "she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them"
• Does any row of Pascal's triangle contain a Pythagorean triple?
• How can I verify integrity of the document types?
• What is this stats overlay that's appeared?
• Can Cantrip Connection be used with innate cantrips?
• Tire schrader core replacement without deflation
• NSolve uses all CPU resources
• What was the main implementation programming language of old 16-bit Windows versions (Windows 1 - Windows 3.11)?
• How do elected politicians get away with not giving straight answers?

Past Perfect Simple Tense: How to Use It, With Examples

Published by

Olivia Drake

On this page:

What is the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is a verb tense used to describe an action that was completed before another action took place in the past. In other words, it is used to show that one event happened before another event in the past.

It is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.” In this sentence, “had eaten” is the past perfect tense, and it indicates that eating breakfast was completed before going to work.

When to use the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is used to describe a completed action that happened before another action in the past. It is often used to provide background information in a story or to show the order of events. Here are some common situations where the past perfect tense is used:

• To describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example: “I had finished my homework before I went to bed.”
• To describe a cause-and-effect relationship in the past. For example: “She was tired because she had been working all day.”
• To describe a hypothetical situation in the past. For example: “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.”
• To describe a past action that happened before a specific time in the past. For example: “By the time I arrived, they had already left.”
• To describe a past action that happened before another past action that was interrupted or happened suddenly. For example: “I had been cooking dinner when the power went out.”
• Overall, the past perfect tense is used to show the relationship between two past actions or events, with one action being completed before the other.

How to form the past perfect tense?

To form the past perfect tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. Here is the formula for forming the past perfect tense:

Subject + had + past participle

The past participle is formed by adding “-ed” to regular verbs or by using the third form of the irregular verb. Here are some examples of regular and irregular verbs in the past perfect tense:

• Regular verb example: I had walked to the store before it started raining.The past participle of “walk” is “walked.”
• Irregular verb example: He had eaten breakfast before he left the house.The past participle of “eat” is “eaten.”

It’s worth noting that there are some irregular verbs that don’t follow the standard pattern for forming the past participle, so it’s important to learn the past participles of irregular verbs. For example, the past participle of “go” is “gone,” not “goed.”

How to make a negative form?

To make a negative sentence in the past perfect tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “had” in its negative form, which is “had not” or “hadn’t”, before the past participle of the main verb. Here’s the formula:

Subject + hadn’t + past participle of the main verb

For example:

• I hadn’t eaten breakfast before I went to work.
• She hadn’t finished the report by the deadline.
• They hadn’t seen the movie before, so they were excited to watch it.

In these examples, the negative form “hadn’t” is used with the past participle of the main verb to indicate that the action was not completed before another past action.

It’s important to note that when using the negative form of the past perfect tense, the word “not” should be included after the auxiliary verb “had” in order to indicate the negative meaning of the sentence.

How to make questions?

To make a question in the past perfect tense, you need to invert the subject and the auxiliary verb “had”. Here’s the formula:

Had + subject + past participle of the main verb?

• Had you eaten breakfast before you went to work?
• Had she finished the report by the deadline?
• Had they seen the movie before?

In these examples, the auxiliary verb “had” is used before the subject, and the past participle of the main verb is placed at the end of the sentence. This formula helps to indicate that the question is in the past perfect tense and helps to form a grammatically correct question.

It’s important to note that when making a question in the past perfect tense, the auxiliary verb “had” should be used at the beginning of the sentence, and the main verb should be in its past participle form. Additionally, the question mark at the end of the sentence indicates that it is a question.

What is the difference between the past perfect and simple past tenses?

The past perfect and simple past tenses are both used to talk about past events, but they are used in different ways.

The simple past tense is used to describe a completed action or a series of completed actions in the past. For example: “I ate breakfast this morning.” The simple past tense is often used with time expressions that indicate when the action happened, such as yesterday, last week, or in 1995.

On the other hand, the past perfect tense is used to show that one action was completed before another action in the past. For example: “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.” In this sentence, the past perfect tense “had eaten” indicates that eating breakfast was completed before going to work.

So, the key difference between the two tenses is that the simple past tense is used to talk about a completed past action, while the past perfect tense is used to show the order of two past actions, with one action being completed before the other.

Another way to think of the difference is that the simple past tense is used when there is no need to show a specific relationship between two past actions, while the past perfect tense is used when there is a need to show that one past action happened before another.

How do I know when to use “had” in the past perfect tense?

The auxiliary verb “had” is always used in the past perfect tense, as it is the helping verb that forms the tense. “Had” is used with the past participle of the main verb to indicate that an action was completed before another past action. For example, “I had finished my work before I went to bed.” In this sentence, “had finished” is the past perfect tense, and “had” is the helping verb that forms the tense.

It’s important to note that “had” is used in the past perfect tense for all subjects, including “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they.” The only thing that changes in the sentence is the past participle of the main verb, depending on the subject and the verb’s irregularity.

It’s also important to remember that the past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past, so you should use “had” when you want to show that an action was completed before another past action. For example, “He had already left when I arrived.” In this sentence, “had already left” indicates that leaving was completed before the action of arriving.

Some common irregular verbs in the past perfect tense?

Irregular verbs have unique past participles that don’t follow the regular pattern of adding “-ed” to the base form. Here are some common irregular verbs in the past perfect tense:

• be – had been
• break – had broken
• choose – had chosen
• do – had done
• drive – had driven
• eat – had eaten
• fall – had fallen
• go – had gone
• see – had seen
• speak – had spoken
• take – had taken
• think – had thought
• wear – had worn
• write – had written

These irregular verbs can be used with “had” to form the past perfect tense, as in “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work” or “She had written the report before the meeting.” It’s important to remember that the past participle is often different from the base form of the verb and needs to be memorized.

Can the past perfect tense be used to talk about ongoing actions in the past?

No, the past perfect tense is not used to talk about ongoing actions in the past. The past perfect tense is used to talk about actions that were completed before another past action, and it is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” with the past participle of the main verb.

To talk about ongoing actions in the past, we use  the past continuous tense  (also called the past progressive tense), which is formed by using the auxiliary verb “was” or “were” with the present participle (-ing) of the main verb. For example, “I was studying for my exam when my friend called me” or “They were watching TV when the power went out.”

It’s important to use the correct tense to accurately convey the meaning of the sentence. Using the past perfect tense to talk about ongoing actions in the past would be grammatically incorrect and could cause confusion for the reader or listener.

Can the past perfect tense be used to talk about future events from a past perspective?

Yes, the past perfect tense can be used to talk about future events from a past perspective. This is called the past perfect future, and it is used to describe a future event that was expected or planned to happen from a past point of view.

The past perfect future is formed by using the past perfect tense of “have” (had) followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had hoped to finish my project by next week” or “They had planned to go on vacation next month.”

In these examples, the past perfect tense indicates that the event was in the future from a past perspective, and it implies that the event did not happen as planned. The past perfect future can be used to show regret, disappointment, or surprise that the expected future event did not happen.

It’s important to note that the past perfect future is not used very frequently, and it is often replaced by other tenses such as the past simple or the past continuous.

Are there any exceptions or special cases when using the past perfect tense?

Yes, there are some exceptions or special cases when using the past perfect tense. Here are a few examples:

• When using  reported speech : In reported speech, the past perfect tense can be used to indicate that an action had been completed before the reporting verb was spoken or written. For example, “She said she had already seen the movie” or “He told me he had finished his work.”
• When using  the past perfect continuous tense : The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that began in the past and continued up until another action in the past. For example, “I had been studying for three hours when I decided to take a break.” In this sentence, “had been studying” is the past perfect continuous tense, which describes an ongoing action that was interrupted by the decision to take a break.
• When using “just” or “already”: In some cases, “just” or “already” can be used with the past perfect tense to indicate that an action had recently been completed or had been completed earlier than expected. For example, “I had just finished my breakfast when the phone rang” or “They had already left by the time we arrived.”

Past continuous tense examples

• I had finished my homework before going to bed. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• They had already left when we arrived. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• By the time she got home, her husband had already cooked dinner. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• I had never seen a shooting star before that night. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• He had been working at the company for five years before he was promoted. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• She had lived in France for two years before moving to the United States. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• The concert had already started when we arrived at the venue. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• He had forgotten his keys at home, so he had to call his roommate to let him in. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• I had never ridden a motorcycle until last weekend. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• The team had won three games in a row before losing the championship game. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• I had never tried sushi until I visited Japan. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• By the time they arrived at the party, most of the guests had already left. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• She had been studying for hours before she finally understood the concept. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• He had broken his leg playing soccer, so he couldn’t participate in the tournament. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• They had been dating for a year before they decided to get married. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• The movie had already started when we got to the theater, so we missed the beginning. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• I had been looking for my keys for hours before I finally found them in my jacket pocket. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• She had never been on a plane before she took her first international flight. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• He had completed all of his assignments by Friday, so he could enjoy the weekend. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• The store had closed by the time I got there, so I had to go back the next day. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• Have you ever traveled to Europe? – This question asks about an action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• How many times have you seen that movie? – This question asks about the number of times an action has occurred from an unspecified point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action is still relevant in the present.
• Have you finished your homework yet? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you ever tried sushi before? – This question asks about a past action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• Have you been to the new restaurant downtown? – This question asks about a past action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• How long have you lived in this city? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you seen the news today? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you ever ridden a horse? – This question asks about an action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• Have you studied for the exam yet? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you finished reading that book yet? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.

If you've read this far, you likely found value in our content. We measure the quality of our articles in various ways, and one significant metric is the number of shares. If you appreciated this piece, please spread the word.

Leave a reply cancel reply, i’m olivia.

Welcome to my virtual classroom! Join me on a journey of language and learning, where we explore the wonders of English together. Let’s discover the joy of words and education!

Let’s connect

• [email protected]

Join the fun!

Stay updated with our latest tutorials and ideas by joining our newsletter.

Type your email…

Recent posts

Modal verbs in conditional sentences with examples, questions in future perfect continuous tense with examples, questions in future perfect tense with examples, questions in future continuous tense with examples, questions in future indefinite (simple) tense with examples, questions in past perfect continuous tense with examples, discover more from fluent english grammar.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Home / English Grammar / Compound Complex Sentence examples with answers

Compound Complex Sentence examples with answers

Looking for compound-complex sentence examples with answers? Explore this comprehensive guide filled with diverse examples to enhance your understanding.

Welcome to our in-depth guide on compound-complex sentences. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of sentence structures, focusing on 100 compound complex sentence examples with answers. 

Understanding Compound Complex Sentence Examples

Before we delve into the examples, let’s clarify what a compound-complex sentence is .

A compound-complex sentence combines elements of both compound and complex sentences. 

It consists of two or more independent clauses ( compound) and one or more dependent clauses ( complex ). These sentences offer a rich and varied way to express ideas, making your writing more engaging and sophisticated.

The Structure of Compound Complex Sentence Examples

You need to understand their structure to create effective compound complex sentence examples with independent and dependent clauses. In essence, they consist of:

• Independent Clause: This part of the sentence can stand alone as a complete thought.
• Dependent Clause : This part cannot stand alone and relies on the independent clause for meaning.

Examples of Independent Clauses

In this section, we’ll explore some examples of independent clauses. These are the building blocks of compound-complex sentences:

• She walked to the store.
• The sun was shining brightly.
• They played a beautiful melody.

Examples of Dependent Clauses

Now, let’s look at examples of dependent clauses, which complement independent clauses:

• After she finished her work, she went for a walk.
• Because it was raining, they decided to stay indoors.
• Although he studied hard, he didn’t perform well in the exam.

People also ask

Creating Compound Complex Sentence for Examples

To craft compound complex sentence examples independent and dependent clause effectively, you need to combine independent and dependent clauses. Here are some examples :

1. Although it was raining, she decided to go for a walk because she needed some fresh air.

2. He studied hard, so he was well-prepared, but he still felt nervous.

3. Although it rained heavily last night, we still managed to have a great picnic in the park because we had brought along a large canopy for shelter.

4. While he studied diligently for the exam, his friends spent the evening watching movies, and they regretted it later when they received their scores.

5. Even though the concert tickets were expensive, they decided to splurge on them because it was their favorite band performing.

6. After the meeting, he rushed to catch his train, but he missed it because of heavy traffic, causing him to arrive late for the conference.

7. Despite her busy schedule, she managed to complete all her assignments, and her dedication earned her top grades in every subject.

These examples showcase how independent and dependent clauses can be combined to create c ompound complex sentences that add depth and detail to your writing.

Analysis of the Compound Complex Sentence Examples

1. Although it rained heavily last night, we still managed to have a great picnic in the park because we had brought along a large canopy for shelter.

• Independent clause: “We still managed to have a great picnic in the park.”
• Dependent clause: “Although it rained heavily last night” and “because we had brought along a large canopy for shelter.”

2. After finishing her homework, she decided to go for a jog, but she changed her mind when she realized it was pouring outside.

• Independent clause: “She decided to go for a jog” and “she changed her mind.”
• Dependent clause: “After finishing her homework” and “when she realized it was pouring outside.”

3. While he studied diligently for the exam, his friends spent the evening watching movies, and they regretted it later when they received their scores.

• Independent clause: “His friends spent the evening watching movies” and “they regretted it later when they received their scores.”
• Dependent clause: “While he studied diligently for the exam.”

4. Because the traffic was unbearable, she left for work an hour earlier than usual, and she reached the office feeling more relaxed than ever.

• Independent clause: “She left for work an hour earlier than usual” and “she reached the office feeling more relaxed than ever.”
• Dependent clause: “Because the traffic was unbearable.”
• Independent clause: “They decided to splurge on them” and “it was their favorite band performing.”
• Dependent clause: “Even though the concert tickets were expensive.”

6. While I was baking a cake for the party, my brother was decorating the house with colorful balloons, and our guests were bringing gifts and snacks.

• Independent clause: “My brother was decorating the house with colorful balloons” and “our guests were bringing gifts and snacks.”
• Dependent clause: “While I was baking a cake for the party.”

7. Although the storm was approaching, they decided to continue their hike because they were determined to reach the summit before sunset.

• Independent clause: “They decided to continue their hike” and “they were determined to reach the summit before sunset.”
• Dependent clause: “Although the storm was approaching.”

8. After the meeting, he rushed to catch his train, but he missed it because of heavy traffic, causing him to arrive late for the conference.

• Independent clause: “He missed it because of heavy traffic” and “causing him to arrive late for the conference.”
• Dependent clause: “After the meeting.”

9. While the chef prepared the main course, the sous chef and pastry chef collaborated on creating exquisite desserts that would delight the diners.

• Independent clause: “The sous chef and pastry chef collaborated on creating exquisite desserts that would delight the diners.”
• Dependent clause: “While the chef prepared the main course.”

10. Despite her busy schedule, she managed to complete all her assignments, and her dedication earned her top grades in every subject.

• Independent clause: “She managed to complete all her assignments” and “her dedication earned her top grades in every subject.”
• Dependent clause: “Despite her busy schedule.”

11. Because the museum was hosting a special exhibit, they decided to visit it during the weekend, and they were amazed by the stunning art pieces on display.

• Independent clause: “They decided to visit it during the weekend” and “they were amazed by the stunning art pieces on display.”
• Dependent clause: “Because the museum was hosting a special exhibit.”

12. While the orchestra played a mesmerizing symphony, the dancers gracefully moved to the music, creating a breathtaking performance that left the audience in awe.

• Independent clause: “The dancers gracefully moved to the music, creating a breathtaking performance that left the audience in awe.”
• Dependent clause: “While the orchestra played a mesmerizing symphony.”

These examples illustrate how compound complex sentences can convey intricate relationships between ideas, making your writing more engaging and informative.

20 Compound Complex Sentence Examples with Answers

While I was studying for my exam, my brother played his guitar.

This sentence contains two independent clauses: “While I was studying for my exam” and “my brother played his guitar.” The dependent clause, “While I was studying for my exam,” adds context to the action in the second clause.

Although it rained heavily, the picnic went on as planned.

Here, “Although it rained heavily” is the dependent clause, and “the picnic went on as planned” is the independent clause. The dependent clause provides contrasting information.

She enjoyed the movie, but she found the ending disappointing.

This compound-complex sentence combines two independent clauses, “She enjoyed the movie” and “she found the ending disappointing,” using the coordinating conjunction “but.”

Because I was running late, I missed the bus, so I had to take a taxi.

In this sentence, you have two independent clauses, “I missed the bus” and “I had to take a taxi,” connected by the coordinating conjunction “so.” The dependent clause, “Because I was running late,” explains the reason for the actions.

After finishing his work, John decided to go for a walk.

“After finishing his work” is the dependent clause, and “John decided to go for a walk” is the independent clause. This example showcases the use of subordinating conjunctions to link the clauses.

Maria couldn’t attend the party since she had a prior commitment.

Here, “since she had a prior commitment” functions as the dependent clause, while “Maria couldn’t attend the party” serves as the independent clause. The sentence explains the reason for Maria’s absence.

Although the restaurant was busy, the service was impeccable, and the food was delicious.

This compound-complex sentence features three independent clauses linked by the coordinating conjunction “and.” It highlights the balance and contrast between different elements.

As I was about to leave, my friend called and invited me to stay.

“As I was about to leave” is the dependent clause, and “my friend called and invited me to stay” is the independent clause. The sentence portrays a change in plans.

While she was driving to work, she noticed a beautiful sunrise.

This sentence contains two independent clauses, “she noticed a beautiful sunrise” and “While she was driving to work,” joined by the subordinating conjunction “While.”

Despite her busy schedule, Lisa always finds time to exercise.

“Despite her busy schedule” is the dependent clause, and “Lisa always finds time to exercise” is the independent clause. The sentence highlights Lisa’s commitment to staying active.

Even though it was raining cats and dogs, Sarah decided to go for a run, and she returned completely soaked.

In this sentence, “Even though it was raining cats and dogs” serves as the dependent clause, while “Sarah decided to go for a run” and “she returned completely soaked” are independent clauses. It illustrates Sarah’s determination despite adverse weather conditions.

As the sun set, the campers gathered around the campfire, and they shared stories of their adventures.

Here, “As the sun set” is the dependent clause, and “the campers gathered around the campfire” and “they shared stories of their adventures” are independent clauses. The sentence sets a tranquil scene and highlights the camaraderie among campers.

Although the book was lengthy, she finished it in just two days, and she couldn’t put it down.

“Although the book was lengthy” functions as the dependent clause, while “she finished it in just two days” and “she couldn’t put it down” are independent clauses. This example shows the reader’s enthusiasm for the book.

Despite facing numerous challenges, the team persevered, and they ultimately achieved their goal.

“Despite facing numerous challenges” is the dependent clause, and “the team persevered” and “they ultimately achieved their goal” are independent clauses. It demonstrates the team’s determination and success in the face of adversity.

While she was on vacation, Emily discovered a hidden gem of a restaurant, and she made it her mission to visit it every day.

This sentence contains two independent clauses, “Emily discovered a hidden gem of a restaurant” and “she made it her mission to visit it every day,” connected by the subordinating conjunction “While.”

Although he had never been to a cooking class, Tom decided to enter the chili cook-off competition, and he ended up winning first place.

In this example, “Although he had never been to a cooking class” serves as the dependent clause, while “Tom decided to enter the chili cook-off competition” and “he ended up winning first place” are independent clauses. It highlights Tom’s unexpected success.

As the clock struck midnight, the New Year’s fireworks lit up the sky, and people cheered in celebration.

“As the clock struck midnight” is the dependent clause, and “the New Year’s fireworks lit up the sky” and “people cheered in celebration” are independent clauses. This sentence captures the excitement of a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Despite being a novice, he tackled the advanced math problems with confidence, and he solved them correctly.

Here, “Despite being a novice” functions as the dependent clause, while “he tackled the advanced math problems with confidence” and “he solved them correctly” are independent clauses. It showcases the individual’s determination to excel in math.

While the storm raged outside, they cozied up by the fireplace, and they shared stories from their childhood.

This compound complex sentence features two independent clauses, “they cozied up by the fireplace” and “they shared stories from their childhood,” connected by the subordinating conjunction “While.” It paints a warm and comforting picture.

Although he was exhausted from work, he stayed up late to finish reading the thrilling novel, and he couldn’t wait to discuss it with his friends.

In this sentence, “Although he was exhausted from work” is the dependent clause, while “he stayed up late to finish reading the thrilling novel” and “he couldn’t wait to discuss it with his friends” are independent clauses. It reflects the reader’s enthusiasm for the book.

Punctuation Rules with Compound Complex Sentence examples

Punctuation plays a crucial role in compound complex sentences. Learn how to use commas, semicolons, and conjunctions correctly to ensure your sentences are clear and concise.

While the rain poured down , I stayed indoors, but my brother insisted on playing soccer in the mud.

This sentence uses the subordinating conjunction “While” to introduce the dependent clause “the rain poured down.” It includes two independent clauses, “I stayed indoors” and “my brother insisted on playing soccer in the mud,” separated by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but.”

Although she had never baked a cake before , she decided to try, and it turned out delicious.

Here, “Although” introduces the dependent clause “she had never baked a cake before.” The sentence combines two independent clauses, “she decided to try” and “it turned out delicious,” using a comma and the coordinating conjunction “and.”

After he finished his homework, he went to the park , where he met his friends.

This compound complex sentence features three clauses. “After” introduces the dependent clause “he finished his homework,” and “where” introduces the relative clause “where he met his friends.” The two independent clauses, “he went to the park” and “he met his friends,” are connected by a comma.

Because it was her birthday, she treated herself to a spa day, and she felt completely relaxed afterward.

In this sentence, “Because” introduces the dependent clause “it was her birthday.” It combines two independent clauses, “she treated herself to a spa day” and “she felt completely relaxed afterward,” using a comma and the coordinating conjunction “and.”

While we waited for the bus, it started to rain, so we decided to take a taxi instead.

“While” introduces the dependent clause “we waited for the bus.” The sentence contains two independent clauses, “it started to rain” and “we decided to take a taxi instead,” separated by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “so.”

Although he had never been to Paris, he dreamed of visiting the Eiffel Tower, which he had seen in pictures.

Here, “Although” introduces the dependent clause “he had never been to Paris.” “Which” introduces the relative clause “which he had seen in pictures.” The two independent clauses, “he dreamed of visiting the Eiffel Tower” and “he had seen in pictures,” are connected by a comma.

As the sun set, the sky turned shades of orange and pink, and the stars began to twinkle.

“As” introduces the dependent clause “the sun set.” The sentence combines two independent clauses, “the sky turned shades of orange and pink” and “the stars began to twinkle,” using a comma and the coordinating conjunction “and.”

Although it was a long journey, they enjoyed the scenic route, and they made wonderful memories.

In this sentence, “Although” introduces the dependent clause “it was a long journey.” It includes two independent clauses, “they enjoyed the scenic route” and “they made wonderful memories,” separated by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “and.”

After she finished her painting, she carefully cleaned her brushes, and she stored them in a neat case.

“After” introduces the dependent clause “she finished her painting.” The sentence combines two independent clauses, “she carefully cleaned her brushes” and “she stored them in a neat case,” using a comma and the coordinating conjunction “and.”

Despite t he challenges they faced, they never gave up, for they believed in their mission.

Here, “Despite” introduces the dependent clause “the challenges they faced.” The sentence includes two independent clauses, “they never gave up” and “they believed in their mission,” separated by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “for.”

These examples illustrate how to use punctuation rules effectively in compound complex sentences to convey complex ideas clearly and accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. what is a compound complex sentence .

A compound complex sentence is a sentence structure that combines elements of both compound and complex sentences. It includes two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

2. Why should I use compound complex sentences in my writing? 

Compound complex sentences add depth and variety to your writing. They allow you to express complex ideas and relationships between clauses, making your writing more engaging.

3. Are there any specific rules for punctuating compound complex sentences? 

Yes, compound complex sentences require proper punctuation. Use commas, semicolons, and conjunctions to connect clauses appropriately.

4. Can you provide tips for using compound complex sentences effectively? 

Certainly! To use compound complex sentences effectively, ensure that the clauses are related and contribute to the overall message. Use subordinating and coordinating conjunctions appropriately.

5. Is it possible to overuse compound complex sentences in writing? 

Yes, like any sentence structure, overusing compound complex sentences can make your writing overly complex. It’s essential to strike a balance and use them when they enhance clarity and meaning.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored 100 compound complex sentence examples with answers. We’ve covered a wide range of scenarios and sentence structures to help you master this essential skill. Remember, using compound complex sentences can elevate your writing and convey your ideas more effectively. Practice is key, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different sentence structures in your writing.

Related Posts:

ENGLISH 4U English Language Learning

• GRAMMAR EXERCISES
• TENSES EXERCISES
• GRAMMAR QUIZZES & TESTS
• IRREGULAR VERBS

Present Perfect Simple

The Present Perfect Simple is used, if an action happened in the past and there is a connection to the present. This action has just stopped or is still going on. There's no exact time expressed when the action happened.

Key words: already , just , yet , ever , never , for , since , so far , up to now , not yet , lately , recently

How to form the Present Perfect Simple

I, you, we, they - have + 3rd form he, she, it - has + 3rd form

They have visited her uncle recently. - She has just baked an apple pie.

Short forms

I 've never been there before. - We 've studied a lot so far.

He 's worked in this shop lately. - He 's found his wallet.

I, you, we, they - have not (haven't) + 3rd form

he, she, it - has not (hasn't) + 3rd form

They haven't tidied up their room so far. - He hasn't finished his homework yet.

Have you already done your homework?

Have/Has - subject - verb

How long have you been there?

Question word - have/has - subject -verb

Use of the Present Perfect Simple

Nick has gone on holidays. - result - He is not in the office.

He has already met Sue. - connection to the present - He likes her.

He has just eaten something bad. - connection to the present - He feels sick now.

He has lived in Spain for ten days. - connection to the present - He is still there.

He has been in Spain since Friday. - connection to the present - He is still there.

Have you ever been to Italy? - connection to the present - Do you know Italy? No, I 've never been there.

Present perfect simple - Exercise 1

Present perfect simple - Exercise 2

Present perfect simple - Exercise 3

Present perfect simple - Grammar Test

Present perfect questions - Exercise 1

Present perfect questions - Exercise 2

Present perfect questions - Exercise 3

For or since - Exercise 1

For or since - Exercise 2

Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 1

Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 2

Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 3

Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 4

Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 5

Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 6

Past simple or present perfect - Multiple Choice Exercise

CONTACT / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy / SITEMAP

© Copyright 2001-2024 Herwig Rothländer - All Rights Reserved

• Parts of speech
• Picture Vocabulary
• Confused Words
• Phrasal Verbs
• Applications
• Essay Writing
• Kindergarten Worksheets

Future Perfect Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

Table of Contents

The Future Perfect Tense is a verb tense used to describe an action that will be completed at some point in the future before another action or time. In this tense, we combine “will have” with the past participle of the main verb. It emphasizes the completion of an action before a specific point or event in the future.

• She will have finished her homework by 8 PM.
• They will have left for the airport by the time you arrive.
• I won’t have completed the puzzle by lunchtime.
• They won’t have fixed the car before the mechanic arrives.
• Will you have submitted your report by tomorrow?
• By Friday, will they have chosen a new team captain?

Usages of the Future Perfect Tense

Completed Action Before a Point in the Future

The future perfect tense describes an action that will be finished before a specific time or event.

• She will have completed her chores before dinner.
• By the time you arrive, I will have finished writing the report.
• They will have built the new playground before the school year starts.
• I won’t have finished my homework before the movie begins.
• They won’t have completed the project by the deadline.
• She won’t have cooked dinner before the guests arrive.
• Will you have completed the assignment by tomorrow?
• By the time they get here, will you have finished cleaning?
• Will they have renovated the kitchen by the end of the month?

Emphasizing Duration

The future perfect tense can be used to emphasize the duration of an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future.

• She will have lived in the city for a decade by next year.
• By the time I graduate, I will have studied engineering for five years.
• They will have known each other for twenty years by their anniversary.
• I won’t have worked at this job for more than a year by the time I leave.
• By next month, she won’t have lived in the neighborhood for even a year.
• They won’t have known each other for a decade by their reunion.
• Will you have worked here for five years by the end of the contract?
• By next summer, will she have lived in the city for ten years?
• Will they have been married for twenty years by their anniversary?

 Hypothetical Situations

The future perfect tense can be used to discuss hypothetical situations or possibilities that may be completed by a certain time in the future.

• If she practices every day, she will have become a skilled pianist by the end of the year.
• If you save money regularly, you will have enough for a vacation by next summer.
• If they start now, they will have planted a beautiful garden by the time of the party.
• If she doesn’t water the flowers, they won’t have bloomed by the wedding.
• If you miss the bus, you won’t have arrived at the event on time.
• If they don’t practice, they won’t have memorized the lines for the play.
• If you study hard, will you have completed the assignment by tomorrow?
• If we start early, will we have reached the summit by noon?
• If they work together, will they have finished the project by the deadline?

Future Perfect Tense Chart

Signal Words

Signal words are words or phrases that indicate the use of the future perfect tense. They often help identify when an action will be completed or its relationship to other events.

• By (specific time): By tomorrow, By the end of the week, By next year.
• Before (specific time): Before the party starts, Before the deadline, Before the meeting .
• By the time (specific time): By the time you arrive, By the time the movie starts.
• At (specific time): At 6 PM, At the concert.
• In (period of time): In a month, In a year.
• She will have completed her project by tomorrow.
• They will have fixed the car before the weekend.
• We will have arrived at the destination by noon.
• He will have finished his homework by the time you call.
• I will have graduated from school by next year.
• I won’t have received the package by the end of the day.
• They won’t have cleaned the house before the guests arrive.
• She won’t have cooked dinner by the time you get home.
• He won’t have fixed the computer by tomorrow morning.
• We won’t have completed the puzzle before bedtime.
• By next month, will you have finished the book?
• Before the meeting, will they have prepared the presentation?
• By the end of the week, will she have visited all the museums?
• By the time of the event, will he have learned the dance?
• Before the deadline, will we have completed the project?

Time Expressions

Time expressions in the future perfect tense are phrases or words that indicate when an action is expected to be completed. These expressions help provide context and specify the point in the future when the action will be finished.

Here are some common time expressions:

By + specific time, Before + specific time, By the time + specific time, At + specific time, In + period of time.

• By next Sunday, she will have finished reading the book.
• They will have completed the renovation before the end of the month.
• By the time the movie starts, we will have bought our tickets.
• He will have graduated from college by the year 2025.
• By the end of the day, she will have written five articles.
• Before the exam, I won’t have studied the entire syllabus.
• They won’t have painted the house by next weekend.
• Before the presentation, he won’t have prepared the slides.
• By the time the party begins, she won’t have baked the cake.
• Before the trip, they won’t have packed their bags.
• By next month, will you have completed the project?
• Before the concert, will they have rehearsed all the songs?
• By the time we arrive, will she have set up the decorations?
• By the end of the week, will he have submitted the report?
• Before the deadline, will they have finalized the proposal?

Forming the Future Perfect Tense

Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative sentences in the future perfect tense are statements that express actions or events that will be completed or finished before a specific point in the future. These sentences typically use the auxiliary verb “will” or shall followed by have  and the past participle of the main verb, forming the structure:

Subject + will /shall + have + verb(3rd form) + object.

• She will have finished her book by next Sunday.
• By the end of the day, they will have completed the puzzle.
• He will have fixed the computer before dinner.
• By next month, I will have learned to swim.
• They will have visited all the museums by the time they leave the city.
• She will have written five letters by tomorrow.
• By the time you wake up, the sun will have risen.
• We will have planted flowers in the garden by the weekend.
• By next year, he will have saved enough money for a car.
• They will have finished the construction before the rainy season.
• She will have graduated from college by the year 2024.

The sentences given above are broken down according to their grammatical structure.

Negative Sentences

Negative sentences in the future perfect tense are statements that express actions or events that will not be completed or finished before a specific point in the future. These sentences typically use the negative form of the auxiliary verb will (will not) or the contraction won’t, followed by have and the past participle of the main verb. The structure for negative sentences in the future perfect tense is:

Subject + will /shall +not + have + verb(3rd form) + object.

• I won’t have completed the assignment by tomorrow.
• By the end of the week, they won’t have fixed the broken window.
• He won’t have learned to ride a bike by next month.
• By next year, she won’t have finished writing her novel.
• They won’t have visited the new museum before it closes.
• I won’t have cooked dinner by the time you come home.
• By the weekend, we won’t have planted flowers in the garden.
• He won’t have saved enough money for the vacation by the end of the year.
• They won’t have completed the renovation before the holiday season.
• She won’t have graduated from college by the year 2025.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in the future perfect tense are questions that inquire about actions or events expected to be completed before a specific point in the future. These questions typically use the auxiliary verb will or shall, followed by the subject, have,  the past participle of the main verb, and additional elements. The structure for interrogative sentences in the future perfect tense is:

Will /Shall + subject + have + verb(3rd form) + object.

• By tomorrow, will you have finished the assignment?
• Will they have repaired the broken window by the end of the week?
• By next month, will he have mastered riding a bike?
• Will she have completed her novel by next year?
• Will they have visited the new museum before it closes?
• Will you have cooked dinner by the time you come home?
• By the weekend, will we have planted flowers in the garden?
• Will he have saved enough money for the vacation by the end of the year?
• Will they have finished the renovation before the holiday season?
• By the year 2025, will she have graduated from college?

Spelling Rules

Spelling rules in the future perfect tense are generally consistent with the regular rules for forming past participles .

Here are some key spelling rules to keep in mind:

Regular Verbs

Verbs Ending in -e

One-Syllable Verbs with a Single Vowel Followed by a Single Consonant:

Irregular Verbs

Verbs Ending in -y

Future Perfect vs. Simple Future Tense

The future perfect tense and the simple future tense are two distinct verb tenses in English, each used to convey different aspects of time and completion.

Let’s compare these two tenses:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

To avoid common mistakes in the future perfect tense, consider the following tips:

• Use of “Will Have” or “Shall Have”:

Ensure that the auxiliary verb “will” or “shall” is used correctly with “have” to form the future perfect tense.

• Incorrect: “I have finished my work by tomorrow.”
• Correct: “I will have finished my work by tomorrow.”
• Correct Placement of “Not” in Negative Sentences:

Place “not” after “will” or use the contraction “won’t” for negative sentences.

• Incorrect: “I will not have completed the assignment.”
• Correct: “I will not have completed the assignment.” or “I won’t have completed the assignment.”
• Accurate Use of Past Participles :

Ensure that the past participles are used correctly, especially for irregular verbs.

• Incorrect: “She will have went to the store.”
• Correct: “She will have gone to the store.”
• Proper Use of Time Expressions:

Use appropriate time expressions to indicate when the action will be completed.

• Incorrect: “I will have finished the project tomorrow.”
• Correct: “I will have finished the project by tomorrow.”
• Consistent Use of Time Frames:

Ensure consistency in expressing different actions in relation to each other within a sentence.

• Incorrect: “He will have finished his work before he will go to the meeting.”
• Correct: “He will have finished his work before he goes to the meeting.”
• Avoiding Redundancy:

Be cautious not to use unnecessary words that may make the sentence redundant.

• Incorrect : “By next month, I will have completed the task and finished it.”
• Correct : “By next month, I will have completed the task.”
• Understanding the Concept of Completion:

Remember that the future perfect tense emphasizes completion before a specific point in the future.

• Incorrect: “By the end of the day, I will have started my assignment.”
• Correct: “By the end of the day, I will have completed my assignment.”
• Future Perfect Tense Example Sentences
• Our teacher will have taught us lesson.
• I shall have finished my homework.
• You will have received the money order.
• Good players will have got prizes.
• The cook will have cooked food before the sun rises.
• They will have read the newspaper.
• We shall have taken rest.
• By next week, I will have memorized all the lines.
• He will have completed the marathon by the time you finish breakfast.
• By the time you return, I will have cleaned the entire house.
• They will have cooked dinner before the guests arrive.
• By the end of the concert, she will have sung all her favorite songs.
• We will have learned a new language by the end of the course.
• By next spring, he will have grown a beautiful garden.
• She will have bought a birthday present by the weekend.
• By the time the meeting starts, I will have prepared the presentation.
• They will have finished the project before the deadline.
• By the end of the day, he will have read three books.
• By next month, they will have adopted a new pet.
• The postman will not have brought my letter.
• He will not have made this mistake.
• The hunter will not have caught any bird.
• They will not have waited for us.
• We shall not have taken tea before you come.
• I shall not have opened your letter.
• The sun will not have risen when the train comes.
• He won’t have completed the marathon by the time you finish breakfast.
• By the time you return, I won’t have cleaned the entire house.
• They won’t have cooked any dinner before the guests arrive.
• By the end of the concert, she won’t have sung any songs.
• We won’t have learned a new language by the end of the course.
• By next spring, he won’t have grown any plants in the garden.
• She won’t have bought a birthday present by the weekend.
• By the time the meeting starts, I won’t have prepared any presentation.
• They won’t have finished any project before the deadline.
• By the end of the day, he won’t have read any books.
• She won’t have fixed any leaky faucets before they cause damage.
• By next month, they won’t have adopted any new pets.
• I won’t have painted any pictures by the end of the week.
• Why will he have forgiven you?
• Who will have locked the door?
• Will the passengers have bought tickets?
• Will she have boiled eggs?
• Will the guests have come?
• Will the peon have rung the bell when reach school?
• By the time you finish breakfast, will he have completed the marathon?
• Will I have tidied up the entire house by the time you return?
• Will they have prepared any dinner before the guests arrive?
• By the end of the concert, will she have sung any songs?
• Will we have acquired a new language by the end of the course?
• By next spring, will he have cultivated any plants in the garden?
• Will she have purchased a birthday present by the weekend?
• By the time the meeting starts, will I have formulated any presentation?
• Will they have completed any project before the deadline?
• By the end of the day, will he have perused any books?
• Will she have repaired any leaky faucets before they cause damage?
• By next month, will they have adopted any new pets?
• Will you have crafted any pictures by the end of the week?
• Will they have organized the house before the guests arrive?
• a) will have completed
• b) completed
• a) will have finished
• b) finished
• a) will have read
• a) will have submitted
• b) submitted
• a) will have built
• a) will have earned
• a) will have sold

1. What is the future perfect tense?

The future perfect tense is a verb tense that expresses an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future.

2. How is the future perfect tense formed?

It is formed using the auxiliary verb “will” or “shall” + “have” + the past participle of the main verb.

3. When do we use the future perfect tense?

We use the future perfect tense to indicate that an action will be completed before another action or a specific point in the future.

5. What are the signal words for the future perfect tense?

Signal words often associated with the future perfect tense include “by,” “before,” “by the time,” and specific time expressions.

7. Can you use “shall” instead of “will” in the future perfect tense?

Yes, “shall” can be used instead of “will” in the future perfect tense, although “will” is more commonly used in modern English.

8. What is the difference between the future perfect and future perfect continuous tense?

The future perfect tense focuses on the completion of an action by a specific point in the future, while the future perfect continuous tense emphasizes the duration of an action leading up to that point.

9. Are there irregular verbs in the future perfect tense?

Yes, irregular verbs have irregular past participles . For example, “eat” becomes “eaten,” and “go” becomes “gone.” Regular verbs form the past participle by adding “-ed.”

Free Grammar and Vocabulary Worksheets Resources

• Worksheet Tenses
• English Worksheets
• Action Verbs Worksheets
• Future Perfect Tense Worksheets
• Future Perfect Continuous Worksheets

You May Also Like

• Present Tenses With Examples
• Present Perfect Tense With Examples
• Time Expressions in English
• Future Perfect Tense With Examples
• Future Perfect
• Future Perfect Tense
• Future Perfect Tense Definition
• Future Perfect Tense Exercise
• future perfect tense formula
• Future Perfect Tense In English
• Future Perfect Tense In Grammar
• Future Perfect Tense Rules
• Future Perfect Tense Structure
• Future Perfect Tense Usages

Most Popular

Tenses Chart With Examples, Rules, Usage

Future Tenses With Examples, Rules, Usage

Past Tenses With Examples, Rules, Usage

Present Tenses With Examples, Rules, Usage

Past Perfect Continuous Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

Related articles.

Linking Words Worksheets and Exercises with Answers

9 Types of Face Shapes: Learn to Identify Yours

Mixed Conditionals: A Simple Guide

Topic: REDUCED ADVERB CLAUSES 1

Level: intermediate/advanced.

Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions

• Pronunciation & Conversation
• Writing Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Business English
• Resources for Teachers
• TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London
• M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music
• B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music

Adverb clauses provide additional information about how something is done. They are much like adverbs in that they tell the reader when , why or how someone did something. All clauses contain a subject and a verb, adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions . For example,

Tom helped the student with the homework because he didn't understand the exercise.

... because he didn't understand the exercise explains why Tom helped and is an adverb clause.

Begin by studying adverb clauses which are often called "time clauses" in English grammar books and follow specific patterns. 

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence, use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: As soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence, there is no need for a comma . Example: He gave me a call when he arrived in town.

Adverb Clauses with Time

• He was talking on the phone when I arrived.
• When she called, he had already eaten lunch.
• I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep.
• We'll go to lunch when you come to visit.

'When' means 'at that moment, at that time, etc.'. Notice the different tenses used in relation to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that 'when' takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the 'when' clause.

• We will finish before he arrives.
• She (had) left before I telephoned.

'Before' means 'before that moment'. It is important to remember that 'before' takes either the simple past OR the present.

• We will finish after he comes.
• She ate after I (had) left.

'After' means 'after that moment'. It is important to remember that 'after' takes the present for future events and the past OR past perfect for past events.

• She began cooking while I was finishing my homework.
• As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking.

While' and 'as' are both usually used with the past continuous because the meaning of 'during that time' indicates an action in progress.

By the time:

• By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner.
• We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive.

'By the time' expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another. It is important to notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future events in the main clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another point in time.

Until, till:

• We waited until he finished his homework.
• I'll wait until you finish.

'Until' and 'till' express 'up to that time'. We use either the simple present or simple past with 'until' and 'till'. 'Till' is usually only used in spoken English.

• I have played tennis since I was a young boy.
• They have worked here since 1987.

'Since' means 'from that time'. We use the present perfect (continuous) with 'since'. 'Since' can also be used with a specific point in time.

As soon as:

• He will let us know as soon as he decides (or as soon as he has decided).
• As soon as I hear from Tom, I will give you a telephone call.

'As soon as' means 'when something happens - immediately afterward'. 'As soon as' is very similar to 'when' it emphasizes that the event will occur immediately after the other. We usually use the simple present for future events, although present perfect can also be used.

Whenever, every time:

• Whenever he comes, we go to have lunch at "Dick's".
• We take a hike every time he visits.

'Whenever' and 'every time' mean 'each time something happens'. We use the simple present (or the simple past in the past) because 'whenever' and 'every time' express habitual action.

The first, second, third, fourth, etc., next, last time:

• The first time I went to New York, I was intimidated by the city.
• I saw Jack the last time I went to San Francisco.
• The second time I played tennis, I began to have fun.

The first, second, third, fourth, etc., next, last time means 'that specific time'. We can use these forms to be more specific about which time of a number of times something happened.

Adverb Clauses Showing Opposition

These type of clauses show an unexpected or non-self-evident result based on the dependent clause.

Example:   He bought the car even though it was expensive . Take a look at the chart below to study the various usages of adverb clauses showing opposition.

Punctuation:

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example:   Even though it was expensive, he bought the car. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example:   He bought the car even though it was expensive.

Even though, though, although:

• Even though it was expensive, he bought the car.
• Though he loves doughnuts, he has given them up for his diet.
• Although the course was difficult, he passed with the highest marks.

Notice how 'though, even though' or 'although' show a situation which is contrary to the main clause to express opposition. Even though, though and although are all synonyms.

Whereas, while:

• Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.
• Mary is rich, while I am poor.

'Whereas' and 'while' show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice that you should always use a comma with 'whereas' and 'while'.

Using Adverb Clauses to Express Conditions

These type of clauses are often called "if clauses" in English grammar books and follow conditional  sentence patterns . Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of different time expressions.

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example:   If he comes, we will have some lunch. . When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example:   He would have invited me if he had known.

• If we win, we'll go to Kelly's to celebrate!
• She would buy a house, if she had enough money.

'If' clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by expected results based on the condition.

• Even if she saves a lot, she won't be able to afford that house.

In contrast to sentences with 'if' sentences with 'even if' show a result that is unexpected based on the condition in the 'even if' clause.  Example:   COMPARE: If she studies hard, she will pass the exam AND Even if she studies hard, she won't pass the exam.

Whether or not:

• They won't be able to come whether or not they have enough money.
• Whether they have money or not, they won't be able to come.

'Whether or not' expresses the idea that neither one condition or another matters; the result will be the same. Notice the possibility of inversion (Whether they have money or not) with 'whether or not'.

• Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time.
• We won't go unless he arrives soon.

'Unless' expresses the idea of 'if not'  Example:   Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time. MEANS THE SAME AS: If she doesn't hurry up, we won't arrive in time.  'Unless' is only used in the first conditional.

In case (that), in the event (that):

• In the case you need me, I'll be at Tom's.
• I'll be studying upstairs in the event he calls.

'In case' and 'in the event' usually mean that you don't expect something to happen, but if it does... Both are used primarily for future events.

• We'll give you your bicycle only if you do well on your exams.
• Only if you do well on your exams will we give you your bicycle.

'Only if' means 'only in the case that something happens - and only if'. This form basically means the same as 'if'. However, it does stress the condition for the result. Note that when 'only if' begins the sentence you need to invert the main clause.

Adverb Clauses with Expressions of Cause and Effect

These type of clauses explain the reasons for what happens in the main clause.  Example:   He bought a new home because he got a better job. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usages of different expressions of cause and effect. Note that all of these expressions are synonyms of 'because'.

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.  Example:   Because he had to work late, we had dinner after nine o'clock. . When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma.  Example:   We had dinner after nine o'clock because he had to work late.

Adverb Clauses of Cause and Effect

• They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard.
• I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exam.
• He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive

Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship between the two clauses.

• Since he loves music so much, he decided to go to a conservatory.
• They had to leave early since their train left at 8.30.

'Since' means the same as because. 'Since' tends to be used in more informal spoken English.  Important note:  "Since" when used as a conjunction is typically used to refer to a period of time, while "because" implies a cause or reason.

As long as:

• As long as you have the time, why don't you come for dinner?

'As long as' means the same as because. 'As long as' tends to be used in more informal spoken English.

• As the test is difficult, you had better get some sleep.

'As' means the same as because. 'As' tends to be used in more formal, written English.

Inasmuch as:

• Inasmuch as the students had successfully completed their exams, their parents rewarded their efforts by giving them a trip to Paris.

'Inasmuch as' means the same as because. 'Inasmuch as' is used in very formal, written English.

Due to the fact that:

• We will be staying for an extra week due to the fact that we have not yet finished.

'Due to the fact that' means the same as because. 'Due to the fact that' is generally used in very formal, written English.

• What Are Reduced Adverb Clauses and How Do They Work?
• Conditional Forms
• A Short Guide to Punctuation
• How to Use Noun Clauses in English
• Subordinate Clauses: Concessive, Time, Place and Reason Clauses
• Past Unreal Conditional Exercises
• How to Use a Relative Clause
• The Right Way to Use 'Already' and 'Yet' in English
• How to Use Just in English
• Various Future Forms for English Learners
• Time Expressions and Tenses
• While, As, As/So Long As: Describing Action
• Visual Explanations of Each English Tense
• Past, Present, and Future Are Simple Tenses
• Guide to Expressions of Quantity
• The Basics of If Sentences

• Action Verbs
• Auxiliary (or Helping) Verbs
• Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs
• Phrasal Verbs
• Verb Tenses
• Irregular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs List
• Confusing Verbs
• Gerunds and Infinitives
• Infinitive Definition & Examples
• Do, Does, Did
• An Extensive List of Phrasal Verbs
• The Present Simple Tense
• The Present Progressive Tense
• The Past Simple Tense
• The Past Progressive Tense
• The Present Perfect Simple Verb Tense
• The Future Tense
• The Present Perfect Progressive Tense

The Past Perfect Simple Tense

• The Past Perfect Progressive Tense
• The Future Perfect Tense
• Passive Voice
• Conjugation
• Conjunctions
• Preposition
• Use after, as soon as, the moment that, until before using the past perfect simple. Ex: After she had moved out , I found her notes./ I didn’t say anything until she had finished talking.
• Use before, when, by the time before the past simple: Ex. Before I knew it, she had run out the door. / By the time he phoned her, she had found someone new.

Write better and faster Ginger helps you write confidently. Start writing with Ginger

• The past perfect simple, to refer to the action that happened first or earlier
• The past simple to refer to the action that happened second or later
• After Sofie had finished her work, she went to lunch. (First she finished her work and then she went to eat lunch.)
• I washed the floor when the painter had gone. (First the painter left and then I washed the floor.)
• Harold had known about it for a while. (First he knew about it, then others knew about it)
• walk > walk ed / study > stud ied / stop > stop ped / create > creat ed

• By the time Doris got to the party, everyone had gone home.
• Everyone had gone home by the time Doris had got to the party.

Contractions in the Past Perfect Simple

Punctuation tip.

• I had > I'd - After I'd used the phone, I paid the bill.
• He had > He'd / She has > She'd / It has > It'd - It'd happened so quickly, I didn't notice.
• We had > We'd / You have > You'd /They are > They'd – We'd just gotten home, when we heard the blast outside.

Negative Sentences in the Past Perfect Simple Tense

• I had not eaten at that restaurant before today.
• Samantha hadn't had time to explain her side of the story.
• My friends hadn't ever gone to France.
• My friends had never gone to the USA either.

Yes/No Questions in the Past Perfect Simple

• Had you cleaned up the mess by the time they came home?
• Had Adam ever spoken to the CEO before he was fired?

Wh-Questions in the Past Perfect Simple

• What had they said that made him so angry?
• Why had he agreed to work for that salary?
• How much had he drunk before you got to him?

Tag Questions in the Past Perfect Simple

• John had known about the cancer for a couple of years, hadn't he ?
• They had been in business together, hadn't they ?
• Jennifer hadn't spoken to you about it, had she ?
• They had never eaten a proper Indian meal, had they ?

Exercises – Past Perfect Simple

• After Loren had turned on the alarm, she locked the door. (turn on)
• By the time Simone arrived , the police had already left. (arrive)
• Had you known about the contract they signed? (know)
• After the company _____Joe, he began to work on his first project. (hire)
• _____you _______ the news before you saw it on TV? (hear)
• Michael didn’t want to see the movie because he _______ the book yet. (not read)
• The concert ______ already _______when we _______ the stadium. (begin/ enter)
• Until Anne ________ Mark, she ____ never ______in love. (meet, be)
• Bill __________ for years before he finally _______. (smoke/ quit)
• _______ Sara ever _______to London by herself before then? (drive)
• How many fish ______ the boys _____ by the time it started raining? (catch)
• You ________ them to go to the beach, hadn’t you? (forbid)
• The girls _______ in weeks? That’s why they ______ so much afterwards. (exercise / hurt)
• hadn't read
• had/begun/entered
• met/had/been
• had smoked/quit
• had forbidden
• hadn’t exercised / hurt

Examples - Past Perfect Simple

• After Sofie had finished her work, she went to lunch.
• I washed the floor when the painter had gone.
• Harold had known about it for a while.
• I didn't say anything until she had finished talking.
• After she had moved out, I found her notes.
• Before I knew it, she had run out the door.
• By the time he phoned her, she had found someone new.
• I had had enough of his complaining.
• After I'd used the phone, I paid the bill.
• It'd happened so quickly, I didn't notice.
• We'd just gotten home, when we heard the blast outside.

Yes/No Questions

Wh- questions, tag questions.

• John had known about the cancer for a couple of years, hadn't he?
• They had been in business together, hadn't they?
• Jenifer hadn't spoken to you about it, had she?
• They had never eaten a proper Indian meal, had they?

• Rules/Help/FAQ Help/FAQ
• Members Current visitors
• Interface Language

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Spanish-English / Español-Inglés
• Spanish-English Vocabulary / Vocabulario Español-Inglés

He is finished his homework. / He has finished his homework.

• Thread starter hector15
• Start date Apr 14, 2015

• Apr 14, 2015

Hola a todos, necesito saber si existe diferencia entre estas frases: 1-He is finished his homework. (El ha terminado su tarea) 2-He has finished his homework. (El ha terminado su tarea) Pregunto esto porque ví algo que decía " I'm finished " que significa " Terminé " ó " He terminado ". Gracias de antemano.  

Senior Member

hector15 said: Hola a todos, necesito saber si existe diferencia entre estas frases: 1-He is finished his homework . (El ha terminado su tarea) Esto no existe. 2-He has finished his homework . (El ha terminado su tarea) Gracias de antemano. Click to expand...

Agro tiene razón. También, se puede decir "He is finished with his homework"  

Bill’s mother won’t let him go out with his friends _____.

A. when he finished his homework

B. after he had finished his homework

C. once he finished his homework

D. until he has finished his homework

Select your answer:          

Next Quiz >

Other quiz:

If it snows, ________ drive to the coast

A. you will

B. I won’t

C. would you

I don’t like __________ weather here. It’s hot during __________ day but very cold at __________ night.

B. the, the, the

C. the, the, –

Trending Topics

How to use : Read the question carefully, then select one of the answers button.

GrammarQuiz.Net - Improve your knowledge of English grammar, the best way to kill your free time.