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By versus Until



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
'Couple' vs 'Couple of' | Expression 'Their noses are hundred times...'
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By versus Until Wed Nov 08, 2006 21:46 pm  By versus Until
 

Hi

I would like to know which one of the following sentences seems better to you.

1- Can you wait for me by tomorrow?
2- Can you wait for me until tomorrow?

Tom
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Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 1976

By versus Until Wed Nov 08, 2006 21:49 pm  By versus Until
 

2nd.
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By versus Until Wed Nov 08, 2006 22:27 pm  By versus Until
 

.
Your first sentence is incorrect, Tom. The word by can be used to talk about a deadline and means "not later than":

Please call me with the information by Friday (at the latest).


Amy
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By versus Until Wed Nov 08, 2006 22:33 pm  By versus Until
 

A lot of thanks, Amy

So, are the following sentences synonymous now?

1- I am free until 6 this evening.
2- I am free by 6 this evening.


I think both sentences suggest that I am not free after 6.

Your opinions please!

Tom
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Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 1976

By versus Until Wed Nov 08, 2006 23:02 pm  By versus Until
 

.
Nope. Cool Shocked

The two sentences have opposite meanings. In addition, sentence 1 can be used with either the simple present tense or a future tense; sentence 2 should use the future (unless you want to say "I am free by 6 pm every day", for example).

1- I am/will be free until 6 this evening. --> I am free now, but after 6 pm I will not be free.

2- I will be free by 6 this evening. --> I am not free now, but at some point during the day, not later than 6 pm, I will be free. I will also be free after 6 pm.

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English
Yankee
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Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 7247
Location: New England

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'Couple' vs 'Couple of' | Expression 'Their noses are hundred times...'
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms By versus Until All times are GMT + 2 Hours
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