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Icadia Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Modal In perfect form
I've got some information from "A student's grammar of the english language"
On page 52, It says
If will (or shall) is combined with the perfect, the resulting future perfect conveys the meaning "past in future"
By next week, they will have completed their contract.
A similar meaning may be conveyed with other modals.
By next week, they may have completed their contract. [It is possible that they will be completed...]
I am used to the structure of "will have + pp" for "past in future".
However, this is the first time I have seen "May have + pp" can also be possible for "past in future".
I thought "May have + pp" is used only to say that something was possible" before I read the comment.
If it is true, "Might have + pp, Could have +pp" can also be possible for "past in future" as "May have + pp" is?
I think this is a very interesting question.
I am waiting for your answers.
On page 52, It says
If will (or shall) is combined with the perfect, the resulting future perfect conveys the meaning "past in future"
By next week, they will have completed their contract.
A similar meaning may be conveyed with other modals.
By next week, they may have completed their contract. [It is possible that they will be completed...]
I am used to the structure of "will have + pp" for "past in future".
However, this is the first time I have seen "May have + pp" can also be possible for "past in future".
I thought "May have + pp" is used only to say that something was possible" before I read the comment.
If it is true, "Might have + pp, Could have +pp" can also be possible for "past in future" as "May have + pp" is?
I think this is a very interesting question.
I am waiting for your answers.
Top answer
" I don't think I'd be as likely to use "could" there, but I wouldn't note it as remarkable if I heard someone else say it. Just transport yourself to the point of view of that future moment (next week), and apply how likely it is that the situation will be so. They will do it, they may do it, they might do it, they could do it (if something else happens to make it possible).
- " I don't think I'd be as likely to use "could" there, but I wouldn't note it as remarkable if I heard someone else say it.
- Just transport yourself to the point of view of that future moment (next week), and apply how likely it is that the situation will be so.
- They will do it, they may do it, they might do it, they could do it (if something else happens to make it possible).
- You will take your cues from the words around it.
- When will they have this problem solved?
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2 Answers
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I have no trouble at all with "By this time next week, they may/might have already solved this problem, so let's not get worked up about it."
"May" to me indicates the speaker finds it more likely than "might." I don't think I'd be as likely to use "could" there, but I wouldn't note it as remarkable if I heard someone else say it.
Just transport yourself to the point of view of
"May" to me indicates the speaker finds it more likely than "might." I don't think I'd be as likely to use "could" there, but I wouldn't note it as remarkable if I heard someone else say it.
Just transport yourself to the point of view of
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