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  #1  
Old 24-Jan-2008, 18:20
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henryh is on a distinguished road
Default Modal forms

Hello,

Can a perfect modal refer to future as well? Is it correct to say a sentence like this?

'By the time I come home tomorrow, you should have been doing the cleaning for an hour.'

If not, how would it be possible to express this with a modal form: when I come home, I want to see that you will have been working for two hours.

Thanks a lot.
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  #2  
Old 25-Jan-2008, 19:33
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Buddhaheart is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Modal forms

I can’t say I see anything wrong with your 1st sentence.
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  #3  
Old 25-Jan-2008, 20:32
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Default Re: Modal forms

'By the time I come home tomorrow, you should have been cleaning for an hour.'

Reminds me of what I used to tell my kids -

"By the time I get home, that room better be clean."
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