How come the future perfect?

Question

Howdy,Another qustion from (?) "how come series." Take a look at the following sentence:Under a medieval, feudal regime people will have thought and felt different form the way that we think and feel now, in a capitalist economy.I have to admit that I usually have lots of doubts abou using the future perfect tense, but in this (that?) sentence it goes way beyond my previous experiences and understanding of (this?) that tense. If anyone could elaborate on the (a?) use of it (on it's use?), I'd be grateful.Thank u a hundred times!

Philip · Accepted Answer

Your doubts are caused by the fact that the use of the future perfect here is incorrect. It's difficult to remedy without access to the rest of the context, but I think it probably should read "would have felt". The use of the simple past "thought" would also be better than the original.

Anglista2008 · Answer

Well, the sentence comes from a book about Literary Theory and Criticism... would the author make such a unpardonable mistake? well, in any case, thank you for your insight!

could someone please help me also with those little doubts that I marked in bold?

cheers!

RayH · Answer

anglista2008could someone please help me also with those little doubts that I marked in bold?

I have to admit that I usually have lots of doubts about using the future perfect tense, but in this ~~(that?)~~ sentence it goes way beyond my previous experiences and understanding ~~of (this?) that tense~~. If anyone could elaborate ~~on the (a?) use of it (~~on it's use?), I'd be grateful.

anglista2008Well, the sentence comes from a book about Literary Theory and Criticism... would the author make such a unpardonable mistake?

Never underestimate the ability of pointy-headed intellectoids to make glaring errors and then defend those errors to the death.

RayH · Answer

I just spent considerable effort editing my previous post and the editor dumped all of my edits. What gives?

I also don't see any way to edit my post to correct it. Has the ability to edit one's own posts been removed? If so why?

RayH · Answer

anglista2008could someone please help me also with those little doubts that I marked in bold?

Here goes my second attempt to answer this question. I certainly hope it works this time.

I have to admit that I usually have lots of doubts about using the future perfect tense, but in this ~~(that?)~~ sentence it goes way beyond my previous experiences and understanding ~~of (this?) that tense~~. If anyone could elaborate on its use ~~the (a?) use of it (on it's use?)~~, I'd be grateful.

RayH · Answer

There is clearly something squirrely with this editor (I'm using the Yahoo editor). I'm doing nothing I haven't done dozens of times on these forums but since the latest upgrade my edits don't take. Any comments or help out there?

Punkybrewster · Answer

(RayH, you should be able to edit your post up to 60 minutes after you've posted it, but ONLY if NO ONE has replied to it.)
Also the default editor is the Simple one, there are still some bugs with the Yahoo editor. Please send me a PM (or write in the Help forum) about the issues you're having in more detail so I can test.

Adrenochrome · Answer

Hi Anglista

I must agree with Phil and say that it does seem that 'would have thought' is the appropriate Standard English, as it is the impossible conditional tense. The book may be by an American author or publisher, the rules of American English may vary here. The impossible (or Type 3, Third type) Conditional sounds over technical, but I'll try to explain it.

Firstly, it is impossible or Third type because it has already taken place and cannot be changed.

Secondly, it is Conditional because it is speculative, and the author is asserting a hypothesis. He was not there then so can not say 'they did' think, speak, feel.

As I say, I teach Standard English (as spoken badly in England) but do not teach American English. This may be where Philip and myself disagree with your book. I agree that you would think a book on Literature would be accurate. A teacher of American English may supply you with the answer you need.

I can't recall the bits in bold, so will look again at your post, and, if I can help, will post a new response to them.

Good luck, and whilst I have queried the tense, the matter that the author is expressing is a good one and reflects a consideration often overlooked. It is too easy for us all to judge ancient things in a modern context and forget that times were different when they were created/written etc.

Adrenochrome · Answer

Back again, and hoping to be much more helpful. Your original sentence, with no alterations, is perfectly good. If you seek perfection, I would have used (Without any intent, I have used the word Perfect twice and now slipped into the Conditional - I suppose that our brains are still influenced by what we have been focusing on, even when we move on!) "If anyone could elaborate on its use", it jus reads better, though your original is very clear, too.

Future Perfect has two forms; Future Perfect & Future Perfect Continuous.

The Basic Future Perfect is used when there are two things going to happen in the future, even if one has already began. Look at the sentence He will have completed his homework before he goes to bed. 'He will have finished his homework' means two things, he is currently doing his homework and he will finish in the future. In the futurehe will also be going to bed. I hope this helps. Another example could be "When you arrive at the port the boat will have set sail". Here there are two future events, the arrival at the port and the boat setting sail. In this case neither has started yet.

If it does help and you would like me to cover the Future Perfect Continuous (only if your teacher has alreasy covered it!), please respond accordingly.

How come the future perfect?

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