Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
-
Understand the structure and purpose of the Future Perfect Continuous Tense in Passive Voice.
-
Recognize why this form is grammatically possible but rarely used.
-
Reconstruct and rephrase active sentences to avoid awkward passive constructions.
-
Use appropriate alternatives when the passive future perfect continuous sounds unnatural.
What Is the Future Perfect Continuous Passive?
The Future Perfect Continuous Passive Voice is a grammatical form that would describe an action that will have been ongoing for a duration by a certain point in the future, with emphasis on the receiver of the action.
However, this tense is virtually never used in English because it sounds unnatural, is overly complex, and difficult to process in communication. Instead, we usually rephrase or replace it with simpler forms.
Important Note
🛑 While grammatically possible, the future perfect continuous passive is considered impractical in real usage.
Most native speakers and professional writers will:
-
Use active voice for clarity.
-
Use future perfect passive or other simpler tenses to convey the same idea.
Hypothetical Structure (Not Commonly Used)
Subject + will have been being + past participle
Example (hypothetical):
-
The house will have been being painted for two weeks by next Monday.
This sentence is grammatically correct, but almost never used in real communication.
Why It’s Rarely Used
-
It’s very long and awkward.
-
It’s difficult to understand in speech and writing.
-
It can always be rewritten in a clearer way.
Preferred Alternatives
Instead of using future perfect continuous passive, use:
Future Perfect Passive:
Subject + will have been + past participle
Example:
-
The house will have been painted by next Monday.
Rephrased Active Form:
They will have been painting the house for two weeks by Monday.
Practical Examples (Rewriting)
| Awkward Passive (Avoid) | Better Alternative |
|---|---|
| The report will have been being reviewed. | The report will have been reviewed. |
| The engine will have been being tested for hours. | The engine will have been tested for hours. |
Summary
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Tense Name | Future Perfect Continuous Passive |
| Structure | will have been being + past participle |
| Status | Technically correct, but almost never used |
| Preferred Alternatives | Future Perfect Passive or Rewritten Active Voice |
| Goal | Communicate clearly and effectively – avoid overly complex forms |
Key Takeaways
-
The future perfect continuous passive is more of a theoretical structure than a practical one.
-
It is grammatically possible, but impractical in conversation or writing.
-
Always aim for clarity over complexity in communication.
-
Use future perfect passive or active voice alternatives for better results.
