Using Future Perfect Continuous

[Jojo]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #120 "Perfect Tenses", question 3

By the end of this year I realize I ......... writing tests for three years now.

(a) shall be
(b) shall have been
(c) will be
(d) shall have

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #120 "Perfect Tenses", answer 3

By the end of this year I realize I shall have been writing tests for three years now.

Correct answer: (b) shall have been

Your answer was: incorrect
By the end of this year I realize I will be writing tests for three years now.
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why is my answeer incorrect?

[Alan]

Hi English Learner,

The tense you need here is the Future Perfect Continuous. If you use the Future Continuous: I will/shall be writing - this means you are describing an action which you imagine will take place in the future. But in my sentence I have added: By the end of this year and so we are talking about something that will have been completed by that time.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A spring in your step

[Guest]

so why not just use "will"?

[Alan]

Hi,

Have another look at my answer:

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:42 am Post subject: shall have been writing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------