Q15: "How long will you have been working here now?"

Question

Hi,

Let's say I'm not very sure/certain of how long somebody has been working somewhere, is it possible to ask them "How long will you have been working here now?"?

Can somebody say "He/she will have been working here for around 6 months." If they aren't very sure about how long he/she has been working there?

Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

LaboriousLet's say I'm not very sure/certain of how long somebody has been working somewhere, is it possible to ask them "How long will you have been working here now?"?

Yes, but they may give you a quizzical look.

Hardly anyone would phrase it so formally. It's clear that you aren't sure how long they've been working there just by the fact that you're asking them the question. All you need is "How long have you been working here?" If you want to stress that you've been trying to work out the timing, you can give your best guess in the question. "It seems to me you've been working here (for) three years now. Is that right?"

LaboriousCan somebody say "He/she will have been working here for around 6 months." If they aren't very sure about how long he/she has been working there?

Yes, but again it's unnecessarily formal. "He's been working here about 6 months, hasn't he?" / "He's been working here about 6 months. Have I got that right?"

CJ

Clive · Answer

However, you could say eg "How long will you have been working here by the end of this year?"

Q15: "How long will you have been working here now?"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬