futur Anterieur

Susan W.A2Kwiziq community member

futur Anterieur

The English translations of the futur anterieur listed here don't make sense to me. For example,  "you will have been able to sing on stage"  -- what does that even mean? 

 It does make more sense if the word "would'' was used in the English translation. As in: "If you had been there, you would have been able to sing on stage." But to use "will" doesn't seem correct. 

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Susan, 

You cannot use 'would have' instead of 'will have' as it is the past conditional and another mood (tense) completely different from the future perfect used to convey a different situation.

Examples don't make much sense as they appear out of context.

Le futur antérieur causes many problems as it is a little-used tense but it does exist in English too.

Please take a look at the Q & A at the end of the lesson for more explanations and examples and the lesson below for understanding the concept of the future past.

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/verb-tense-mood/the-french-future-perfect-le-futur-anterieur

I do hope this helps!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I think that the examples for future perfect tense ought to be put in a context and not standalone sentences. The sentence "you will have been my best friend" all by itself sounds odd and out of context. But if you said, "By the time I'll come home, you will have completed your homework." it is clear how this tense is used.

CécileKwiziq team member

Thanks Chris, 

I will pass on your suggestion for the lesson review...

futur Anterieur

The English translations of the futur anterieur listed here don't make sense to me. For example,  "you will have been able to sing on stage"  -- what does that even mean? 

 It does make more sense if the word "would'' was used in the English translation. As in: "If you had been there, you would have been able to sing on stage." But to use "will" doesn't seem correct. 

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