Select the correct option:
By the time the audit concludes, the firm _______ its compliance report.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. will have filed..
Error concept: related to the use of Future Perfect Tense.
What is wrong: The sentence requires a verb form that indicates an action will be completed before a specific point in the future.
Grammatical concept: We use the Future Perfect Tense (will have + V3) to describe an action that will be finished or completed before another action or a specific time in the future. Often, these sentences use the time expression 'By the time' followed by a clause in the Simple Present Tense.
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Structure: By the time + Subject + V1 (Simple Present), Subject + will have + V3 (Future Perfect).
Incorrectness of the concept in context: The phrase 'By the time the audit concludes' sets a deadline in the future. To show that the filing happens before this conclusion, a simple future or present tense would be inaccurate; the perfected action is required.
How to correct: The blank should be filled with 'will have filed' to show the completion of the report submission prior to the end of the audit.
Correct phrase: will have filed
Final sentence: By the time the audit concludes, the firm will have filed its compliance report.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.