might/could have done ... for future situations

[ademoglu]

Hi,

1- (By) this time next year, you might have bought that car. But because you've left the job, it seems impossible.

2- You could have told him about our relationship over dinner tomorrow. Why did you tell him now?

They are my sentences. I just wanted to use 'could/might have done' to refer to the future. Are they grammatically OK? In sentence 1, can I omit 'by'?

Thanks.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

Both are grammatically correct.

You can omit by in sentence 1, but it would change the meaning:

A. By this time next year, you might have bought that car. At some unspecified time between now and 365 days from now, it would have been possible for you to buy that car.

B. This time next year, you might have bought that car. (Before you quit your job), it would have been possible to buy the car after the next 365 days, but not before then.

 

[Tdol]

I just wanted to use 'could/might have done' to refer to the future. Are they grammatically OK?

Yes, you have got the idea. :up: