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Question

Difficulty: Very hardVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

By the time the judicial commission submits its findings next month, the principal investigator __________ key witnesses for over six weeks.

Which of the following verb forms best completes the sentence?

  1. will have been questioningAnswer
  2. B
    has been questioning
  3. C
    would have questioned
  4. D
    will question

Answer

will have been questioning
The correct verb form is 'will have been questioning'. When describing an action that continues over a duration leading up to a specific future reference point (introduced by 'by the time... next month'), English grammar requires the future perfect continuous aspect to express both ongoing duration and relative future completion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the time markers and temporal framework in the sentence.
The clause 'By the time the judicial commission submits its findings next month' establishes a specific future point of reference, while 'for over six weeks' indicates an ongoing duration.
Identifying the temporal anchor and aspectual requirements is necessary to select the correct complex tense.
2
Determine the precise tense and aspect combination needed.
The future perfect continuous aspect ('will have been' + present participle) is required to show an action continuing up to a designated future time.
Simple future and present tenses cannot represent an action's duration completed relative to a future milestone.

Key Concept

Future Perfect Continuous Aspect
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

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