finished his homework

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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 to use or where to use these words ?

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

As for me both sentence has same or mere meaning, So is there any real difference between?

• differences

• I guess most of the time they mean the same thing. But sometimes only one works: you can finish a meal, but you can't complete it. –  bjb568 Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 4:09
• 3 @bjb568 When you marry the right women, you are 'Complete'. If you marry the wrong women, you are 'Finished', BUT when the right women catch you with the wrong women, you are 'Completely Finished`. –  Krebto Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 14:50
• 2 @Krebto Haha. Though that problem likely started with the plural. –  Lawrence Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 14:57
• 1 @Lawrence haha indeed. –  Krebto Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 14:58
• 1 @bjb568 - Dessert finishes the meal! –  Davo Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 15:14

5 Answers 5

I could see a subtle difference. I always though the difference was this:

completed - means you've done all the parts of the relevant task finished - you have done the task as a whole, but you may have skipped some parts.

I have finished the game, but I'm yet to complete all the side quests.

Edit: Free Dictionary agrees with me

Complete 1. Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps; entire: a complete medical history; a complete set of dishes. Finish a. To stop (doing an activity or task) after reaching the point at which there is nothing left to do: finished cleaning the room. b. To bring to a required or desired state: finish an assignment; finish a painting .

• So how about saying as 'Completely finished?', Do the meaning change here? –  Emmanuel Angelo.R Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 5:37
• That would mean that every single thing is finished. It would be an extra emphasis. –  Zikato Commented Apr 16, 2015 at 5:39

Merriam-Webster's Eleventh Collegiate Dictionary (2003) identifies the following distinctions between complete and finish :

CLOSE, END, CONCLUDE, FINISH, COMPLETE, TERMINATE mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. ... FINISH may stress completion of a final step in a process {after it is painted, the house will be finished }. COMPLETE implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken {the resolving of this lat issue completes the agreement}.

S.I. Hayakawa, Choose the Right Word (1968) offers this comparison:

Finish and complete men to bring to an anticipated end by doing all things that are necessary or appropriate to achieving that end. Although the two words may be used as exact synonyms, complete suggests the fulfillment of an assigned task and is therefore not always an appropriate substitute for finish . An author may complete or finish his novel; a reader might finish it, but one would not say that he completed it unless he were reading it as a school assignment.

Given how close in meaning the two words are, I think Hayakawa's argument that complete tends to be more narrowly associated with assigned tasks than finish is makes a good point. In my experience, people say, for example, "Are you going to finish [or finish eating ] your dessert?"—not "Are you going to complete [or complete eating ] your dessert?"

Nevertheless, some degree of idiomatic variability is evident, too. For example, while one might argue that "writing a novel" is no more of an assigned task than "reading a novel," English speakers do not typically use the words completed and finished in exactly the same way to characterize the two activities. On the one hand, it sounds quite normal to me to say of an author either "She completed her novel" or "She finished her novel" as a way of indicating that the author had successfully reached the end of her work on the novel and that the manuscript was now ready for publication (or editing, as the case may be). But in speaking of a reader, "She finished the novel" seems far more natural than "She completed the novel" as a way of saying that the reader had read the novel all the way through. This perhaps reflects a distinction between finished as meaning "got done with" and completed as meaning "made whole": the author can be understood either to have got done with writing the novel or to have made the novel whole; but the reader can be understood only to have got done with reading it.

The terms are interchangeable in any context I can think of.

• So you consider he finished his meal to be equivalent to he completed his meal ? –  oerkelens Commented Jul 15, 2015 at 8:13
• 1 Point of fact, I do. –  silenceislife Commented Jul 17, 2015 at 5:09

Finished implies the actor state. Complete refers to the task state. Halfway through a marathon, a runner can be finished with the race and go home. The runners that completed the marathon have run its entirety.

Politically, a politician could be 'finished' if an egregious error were committed. However, it would be incorrect to say the politician was 'completed'. To complete a term implies success.

This is why waiters will ask 'are you finished' with a meal, especially when it is incomplete. A waiter asking 'are you complete?' would be asking an entirely different question that would have deep philosophical implications.

This demonstrates that the actor is finished (runner, politician, consumer) but the task is completed (marathon, election term, meal).

according to Sun Sherman: "When you marry the right woman, you are Complete. If you marry the wrong woman, you are Finished.

And when the right woman catches you with the wrong woman, you are Completely Finished!"

• 1 Already mentioned in comments on the question. –  KillingTime Commented Jul 14, 2020 at 19:14
• This doesn't answer the question, either. Since you are new to the site, I won't downvote your answer :) –  Steve Commented Nov 3, 2021 at 20:30

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How to Finish Your Homework

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 282,631 times.

While studying can differ for different age groups, many of the things that get in the way are the same. Whether it's your environment or time management skills, it easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework. With a little organization and help, your homework can become approachable.

Managing Your Time

• For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you're a night owl, after dinner.

• Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break.
• It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air.
• You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.

• Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source
• Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source

• Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important.
• If you're using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.

• Don't let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!

• Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.

Creating a Productive Work Environment

• A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.

• Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media.
• Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

• Use a white noise app to block out noise.
• Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source
• Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one.
• Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source

Using Your Resources

• If you're too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.

• First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact.
• Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [18] X Research source
• In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information.
• There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [19] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie's list.

• If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

• Don't feel too stressed or you'll be doing less work than you actually can. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
• Maintain a healthy diet. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3

• Recommended time doing homework varies by age. The National PTA recommends about 10 minutes per grade level per night (30 minutes a night for the third grade). Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
• Some people may need additional help in order to focus on their homework and finish it. If you are struggling in school, ask your parents or teachers about what resources may be available, and seek out professional help or ask your parents to do so, if necessary. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 9
• If you are under the age of thirteen, you may need to obtain your parents’ permission before downloading any computer applications. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 13

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/power-habit-charles-duhigg
• ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks/
• ↑ https://www.wma.us/about/titan-blog/post/~board/titan-blog/post/how-to-prioritize-school-assignments-and-homework
• ↑ https://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance//
• ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/concentration
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html/
• ↑ https://absn.northeastern.edu/blog/8-things-to-keep-in-your-at-home-study-space/
• ↑ https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/171/
• ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.1731
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ https://rdw.rowan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2412&context=etd
• ↑ https://blogs.chapman.edu/scst/2016/02/09/what-tutoring-is-and-what-tutoring-is-not/
• ↑ https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support

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'Have just finished' vs. 'Just finished': What is the difference?

I have just finished my homework. I just finished my homework.

I think there must be a difference in meaning. Could anyone tell me the difference in meaning sentence 1 and sentence 2?

• present-perfect
• past-simple

2 Answers 2

Your examples:

I have just finished my homework.

I just finished my homework.

I think this question is purely about simple past vs present perfect as well as British English vs American English. That's why, you are saying "there must be differences in meaning between them"

As far as the differences in meaning between these sentences is concerned, there is no real differences in meaning between them. As john Lawler mentions in his answer https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/202122/the-correct-usage-of-past-tense-with-just "Different speakers with different habits and experiences will probably see potential distinction or difference to make but nobody will see or make the same ones". Both of these sentences imply the same meaning but tense is different in them, which here doesn't affect their meanings. A speaker choces the one which sounds best to him/her.

The word "just" is commonly used with present perfect tense(most commonly in British English) to indicate that an action has recently happened and influences the present moment of speaking.

According to Cambridge dictionary, http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/just

''just' as a time Expression'' can mean 'recently or very short time before' or after speaking.

I have just decided to sell my apartment. I'm on the way to the station. The train has just arrived. I have just finished my homework.

Having said that, In American English it's acceptable to use" just" with simple past as well as with present perfect to express that something recently happened.

However, since the language develops over the time, it's widely increasing the use of 'just' with 'simple past' even in British English.

This might be helpfull http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/english-questions/past-simple-just-16200/

Simple past vs present perfect

We use Present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now or for finished actions which have a connection to the present.

----A finished action with a result in the present:

I 've lost my keys! (The result is that I can't get into my house now).

We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present----

I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible! (Now there is no result. I got new keys yesterday).

For better understanding check

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-perfect-or-past-simple.html

I have just finished my homework (BrE, AmE).

I just finished my homework (AmE).

There's no difference in meaning.

The British use the present perfect for recent actions, especially with just, already, and yet. Americans can use either the present perfect or simple past with these words.

• I'm skeptical of your belief about "the British" here. On what do you base this notion? "The British" (whoever they might be) are as wont to eschew the perfect as we colonials. What you say may have been true three decades ago, but today, there's little to choose. –  P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Commented Oct 22, 2016 at 9:09
• 1 The distinction in usage (American English v British English) is a known difference. But I can't agree they mean exactly the same, as used in the same dialect. In other words, in AmE there is a difference between I just finished... and I've just finished... . –  Alan Carmack Commented Oct 23, 2016 at 2:15
• As a native AmE speaker, I couldn't tell you what the difference in meaning between "I just finished" and "I have just finished" is. As far as I know they are exactly the same, just one more terse than the other. –  Matt Commented Feb 10, 2020 at 16:40

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Past Perfect Tense Sentences | 50 Examples

The Past Perfect Tense expresses an event that occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past. This tense is generally used in reported speech, third conditional sentences, or to show dissatisfaction with the past.

Past Perfect Tense Sentences

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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

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Simple Past or Present Perfect Simple

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

• I (just / finish) my homework.
• Mary (already / write) five letters.
• Tom (move) to this town in 1994.
• My friend (be) in Canada two years ago.
• I (not / be) to Canada so far.
• But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times.
• Last week, Mary and Paul (go) to the cinema.
• I can't take any pictures because I (not / buy) a new film yet.
• (they / spend) their holiday in New Zealand last summer?
• (you / ever / see) a whale?

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Simple Past / Past Perfect

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after he finished or after having finished

• Thread starter Akasaka
• Start date Dec 19, 2009

Senior Member

• Dec 19, 2009

Hello everyone, I gather these two sentences are both correct. Which sentence is better? Fred went to the movies after he finished his homework. Fred went to the movies after having finished his homework. Thanks in advance.  

I wouldn't use the second sentence, though I may have difficulty explaining why. I think it's because having finished his homework defines a long period of time. When does it end?  

I think we also try to keep things in correct time order. We usually see things like, "I did this. Then I did that. Finally, I did another thing." Try to start out out the sentence with the thing Fred did first: "After he finished his homework, Fred went to the movies." or "Having finished his homework, Fred went to the movies." ("After" becomes unnecessary in this sentence format.)  

panjandrum said: I wouldn't use the second sentence, though I may have difficulty explaining why. Click to expand...

• Jan 10, 2010

Akasaka said: Hi, panjandrum, Thanks for helping me. Then how about " Fred went to the movies after finishing his homework. "? Do you use this one? Click to expand...

Akasaka said: Which sentence is better? 1. Fred went to the movies after he finished his homework. 2. Fred went to the movies after having finished his homework. Click to expand...

Akasaka said: 3. Fred went to the movies after finishing his homework. Click to expand...

JulianStuart

• Jan 11, 2010

spatula said: Incidentally, I'm not sure how any other English speakers feel about this, and it may be particular to my Irish family, but I'm familiar with the word 'after' being used in a construction that I don't hear very often elsewhere. Instead of saying, 'I've finished my homework,' it would instead be, 'I'm after finishing my homework.' I'm not sure how common this is though. Click to expand...

Here are my reactions: (1) Fred went to the movies after he finished his homework. Absolutely fine, no issues (2) Fred went to the movies after having finished his homework. Correct, but sounds slightly stilted (3) Fred went to the movies after finishing his homework. Also correct: formal, but less stilted than (2).  

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Present perfect.

The present perfect is a common verb tense in English. It can be used in many ways. It is formed like this:

Here are some examples:

• I have eaten dinner.
• You have taken the test.
• He has finished his homework.
• We have seen the movie.
• They have driven a car.

For negative sentences, just add “not”, like in these examples:

• I have not eaten dinner.
• He has not finished his homework.

Contractions :

Have + Not = haven’t

Has   + Not = hasn’t

• I haven’t eaten Spanish food.
• She hasn’t finished her homework.

Present Perfect Questions

To ask questions in the present perfect, start with “Have” or “Has”.

Yes, I have.                   Yes, she has.

No, I haven’t.               No, he hasn’t.

  Examples:

• Have you visited Paris? No, I have not.
• Has she flown in an airplane? Yes, she has.
• Have they worked in an office? Yes, they have.

 Present Perfect Uses

The present perfect has 2 main uses:

• Actions in the past with no specific time
• Actions in the past that continue into the present

No Specific Time

Present perfect is for actions in the past with no time. This could be for a number of reasons:

• Time is unknown
• Time is not important
• The action has happened many times

Let’s think about a few examples.

• He has found his keys.
• I have gone to New York City 3 times.
• I have not finished my project.
• We have seen that movie many times.

In this example, it is not important when he found his keys. We only care he found them.

This example shows an action that has happened many times. Because the present perfect has no specific time, it is not used with time phrases. These examples are incorrect .

• I have eaten lunch yesterday .
• She has taken an English class last year .

In a situation with a specific time, use the simple past . For example:

• I ate lunch yesterday.
• She took an English class last year.

Actions that Continue to the Present

Some actions start in the past, but they continue in the present. This is shown with the present perfect.

• I have lived in Paris for 3 years.

(I live in Paris now.)

• She has worked as a teacher since 2003.

(She started to teach in 2003. She is a teacher now.)

• I have been a student at this school for 2 years.

(I am still a student.)

Present Perfect Key Words

There are some key words used with the present perfect that include the following:

For is used for periods of time. Some examples of time are years, days, or hours.

• I have been a teacher for 4 years.
• Karen has lived in Toronto for 8 years.
• They have been here for 2 hours.

Since is used for specific dates.

• I have been a teacher since
• Karen has lived in Toronto since
• They have been here since 5:00 pm.

Watch how for and since are similar but different.

• I have been a teacher since 2004. I have been a teacher for 9 years.
• He has not eaten since 3 pm. He has not eaten in 6 hours.

To practice the difference between for and since , use this test:

For and Since Test       

“Yet” is for negative sentences and questions. It always goes at the end of the sentence. Here are some examples:

Negative Sentences

• I have not eaten dinner yet .
• She has not seen that movie yet .
• They have not arrived yet .

  Questions

• Have you eaten dinner yet ?
• Has he seen that movie yet ?
• Has Tina arrived yet ?

“Already” is for affirmative sentences. It can go at the end of a sentence:

• I have eaten dinner already .
• She has taken the test already .
• Dan and Jen have had breakfast already .

It also goes between the auxiliary and the main verb:

• I have already eaten dinner.
• She has already taken the test.
• Dan and Jen have already had breakfast.

Here are some more examples:

• She has already
• He has left already .
• Jake and Fred have already finished their work.

Still is for negative sentences. It goes before the auxiliary verb.  Here are some examples:

• I still have not eaten dinner.
• She still has not arrived.
• Chris still hasn’t woken up.

To practice the difference between already , still , and yet , try this test:

Already, Still, Yet Test       

Present Perfect Mistakes 

Watch out for these common mistakes when you are using the present perfect.

Not using the proper form of the verb

• I have went to the park.
• She has ate dinner.

Present perfect always uses a past participle.

• I have gone to the park.
• She has eaten dinner.

Also, watch out for mistakes with irregular verbs.

• I have boughten a jacket. (bought)
• She has flied in an airplane. (flown)

Using the present perfect with a specific time

• I have visited Toronto last year.
• Yuri has watched the movie yesterday.

Remember: Present perfect never uses a specific time. That is simple past .

Not using ever and never properly

• Did you ever see that movie?
• I have ever heard that song.
• Have you never gone to California?

If you would like to practice more with the present perfect, you can also try the free tests at learnEnglish-online :

Present Perfect Test Present Perfect Test 2 Present Perfect Test 3 Present Perfect Test 4

Present perfect vs. simple past test present perfect vs. simple past test 2, for and since test still, already, yet test, present perfect listening exercise, (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});, more grammar lessons and tests.

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Past perfect, also referred to as the pluperfect, helps us talk about actions related to other actions. In this reference, we will discuss what is the past perfect tense, its uses, different forms, example sentences, and tips for mastering this complex verb tense!

What is the Past Perfect Tense?

The past perfect tense is a verb form in the English language used to talk about actions that happened before another past action. It is formed by using the past form of the verb ‘had’ and the past participle of the main verb. The past perfect tense is used to refer to events that happened in the past before something else in the past.

For example, “She had already finished her homework before her friends arrived.” In this sentence, the past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action of finishing her homework was completed before her friends arrived.

The formula for the past perfect tense looks like this:

Subject + had + past participle of the main verb

For example, “He had finished his homework.”

We also use this tense to explain the duration of actions in the past. For example, “She had been studying for two hours before she stopped.” In this sentence, the past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action of studying had been occurring for two hours before she stopped.

Uses of the Past Perfect

The past perfect tense is useful:

• To talk about past events that already happened before something else in the past.
• To talk about the duration of an action in the past.
• To talk about past events that were interrupted by another past event.
• To talk about two past actions that happened at the same time.

“He had been running for an hour before he had to stop because he was tired.”

In this sentence, the past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action of running was happening for an hour before it was interrupted by the action of him becoming tired.

• “She had been cooking dinner while her husband was watching TV.”

In this sentence, the past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action of cooking dinner and the action of watching TV were happening simultaneously in the past.

Note that the past perfect is never used when talking about events that are still happening in the present. For example, “She had been studying for two hours” is correct, but “She has been studying for two hours” is incorrect.

Different Forms of the Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense can be used in a variety of forms. It can be used in affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms.

• In the affirmative form , it is formed with ‘had’ and the past participle of your main verb. For example, “He had finished his homework.”
• In the negative form , it is formed with the verb ‘had not’ and the past participle of the main verb. For example, “He had not finished his homework.”

Examples of the Past Perfect Tense

Here are some examples of the past perfect tense in sentences:

• “She had already eaten dinner before her friends arrived.”
• “He had been running for an hour before he had to stop.”
• “She had been studying for two hours before she stopped.”
• “He had been working on the painting for a week before he finished it.”

Soon enough, you will be able to master the past perfect tense. Just remember the formula: had + past participle of the main verb. With this, you can form affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences .

Soon, you'll learn to easily use this tense to talk about all sorts of events that happened in the past. Check out more handy verb tense references below to learn more!

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Present Perfect

For recently finished actions.

Table of Contents

In this grammar section we will have a look at the tense Present Perfect to talk about recently finished/completed actions.

A: How long have you worked there? B: I have worked there for 3 years.

A: How long have you been friends? B: We haven’t been friends for long. We have been friends since 2022

The video gives an overview of to Present Perfect for something recently completed/finished actions.

It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the Present Perfect.

For the form and the pronunciation have a look a the different webpages:

• Present perfect form
• Present perfect pronunciation

Usage/ Meaning

How and when do we use the Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.

I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it, but it wasn’t so long ago . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

I have already done my homework: This means you finished your homework somewhere before now . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something that is not finished.

I haven’t done my homework yet : This means you did not finished your homework somewhere before now but that you will do it later . It is usually used to stress that you did not finished the action but you will do it somewhere soon in the future.

• Just: recently finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have just finished . 
• Already: finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have already finished .
• Yet: not finished, but will finish it later. Negative and questions. At the end of the sentence: I haven’t finished yet .

Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below . Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….

• What have you already done today?
• What haven’t you done yet today, but must still do today?
• What have you just finished before answering these questions?
• Have you just had some food?
• Have you already finished your homework?
• Have you already studied today?
• Have you just had a phone call?
• Have you already had lunch today?
• Which movie have you already seen more than 2 times?
• Which goals in your life have you already achieved?

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Kristof Abrath Teacher, Trainer, Course Designer Teaching in English on 4 different continents since 2006.

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He ___ his homework before dinner.

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How to answer“Did you finish your homework?”

Consider a scenario in which my friend, Jack, did NOT finish his homework. If I ask him the question “did you finish your homework?”, what is the correct way for Jack to answer this question? More specifically, can it be answered objectively with a Yes/No?

I feel like my friends would just say “no” as in “no, I didn’t finish”

But I feel like the correct answer should be “yes” as in “yes, you’re correct, I didn’t finish”

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Future Perfect Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

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?

Table of Contents

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
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• Future Perfect Tense With Examples

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