I am struggling with understanding the difference here:
It will be done at that point in the future.
It will have been done at point in the future.
I know in theory what future perfect tense means but here I cannot see the difference.
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this communityI am struggling with understanding the difference here:
It will be done at that point in the future.
It will have been done at point in the future.
I know in theory what future perfect tense means but here I cannot see the difference.
Let's call that point in the future "tomorrow, 16:00 h".
It will be done at that point in the future.
No-one is doing anything, until tomorrow, 16:00 h. Then what needs to be done, will be done.
It will have been done at point in the future.
At some point in time between now and tomorrow, 16:00 h , what needs to be done will be done. We do not know when exactly it will be done, but will certainly have finished by tomorrow, 16:00 h.
The difference is the point of reference, i.e., where you are looking from.
The first refers to the completion point with now as the reference point, i.e., looking from now.
The second refers to the completion point with a reference point after, i.e., looking from after the completion.
For example, today is Monday. The report will be done on Wednesday. It will be done at that point. On Saturday is the party. The report will have been done at that point (from the view of Saturday).