Monday, February 15, 2016

meaning - What does the perfect infinitive mean?

I came across a sentence recently: Before I turn 40, I want to have written a book.



Could someone explain to me what does it actually mean?




I'd rather say: Before I turn 40, I want to write a book. but I'm not native speaker.



I understand the meaning of the perfect infinitive in sentences below:



If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake.



Someone must have broken the window and climbed in



but I can't grasp the difference between:




Before I turn 40, I want to have written a book vs Before I turn 40, I want to write a book



Thanks for any help
Marcel

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