future perfect as assumption

Share on Facebook

Hena

#470075 Tue, 29 Jan 08 09:38 AM

Hello everyone!

I just would like to know how commonly future perfect is used to indicate assumption. I mean if I say "Of course you will have met Sally at Mark's birthday party.", is it a natural way of saying " I assume you've met Sally at Mark's birthday party." ?

Thanks a lot in advance Smile [:)]

Hena

Joined on Tue, Dec 20 2005

Full Member (118)

Kenta

#470088 Tue, 29 Jan 08 10:15 AM

Hello.

I think "You will have met ... party." sounds odd.

"You will have finished this work by tommorow." sounds natural to me.

I hope other people will give you better comments. See you!

Kenta

Joined on Fri, Dec 21 2007

Full Member (239)

kenta

Hena

#470562 Wed, 30 Jan 08 12:58 PM

Hey Kenta! Thanks a lot for your help Rose [F] ...yep, it doesn't sound very natural to my foreign ears as well, but I believe I've heard "future perfect" being used like that Thinking [*-)]

Anybody else has a take on this issue? Pleaassssssseeee Big Smile [:D]

Hena

Clive

#470571 Wed, 30 Jan 08 01:17 PM

Hi,

Yes, this is not uncommon. I'd suggest that you think of it more as 'logical deduction'. The speaker is saying that an action has already happened which has an impact on a present/future situation. Here are a couple more examples.

He will have left by now (so don't call him at his office).

He won't have left yet (so call him at his office).

What your example means is "Of course you will have met Sally at Mark's birthday party (so I won't introduce you to her again)."

Best wishes, Clive