Standard English ConventionsMediumVerb tense with 'by the time' in the future
Standard English Conventions practice question
By the time the ferry ____ the island, the last bus will have left.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. reachesCorrect
- B. will reach
- C. reached
- D. is reaching
Answer: A. reaches
In a time clause about the future, the present tense is used: 'by the time the ferry reaches'.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. will reach
- 'Will' is not used in the 'by the time' clause.
- C. reached
- 'Reached' is past, but the sentence looks ahead.
- D. is reaching
- 'Is reaching' is not standard here.
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