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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
By / before
Hi!
* The money must be sent by April 1.
I believe the above sentence means that the latest date allowed for sending the money is April 1.
But how about this?
<Q1>
* The plant construction will start by April.
When is the latest possible date the construction could start?
March 31? or April 30?
<Q2>
If March 31, what is the difference between "before April" and "by April"?
<Q3>
Whatever the the answer is for Q1, is it a strict common understanding among native speakers, or is it more vague and could be interpreted differently?
* The money must be sent by April 1.
I believe the above sentence means that the latest date allowed for sending the money is April 1.
But how about this?
<Q1>
* The plant construction will start by April.
When is the latest possible date the construction could start?
March 31? or April 30?
<Q2>
If March 31, what is the difference between "before April" and "by April"?
<Q3>
Whatever the the answer is for Q1, is it a strict common understanding among native speakers, or is it more vague and could be interpreted differently?
Top answer
Hi, * The money must be sent by April 1. I believe the above sentence means that the latest date allowed for sending the money is April 1. People do not always speak precisely.
- Hi, * The money must be sent by April 1.
- I believe the above sentence means that the latest date allowed for sending the money is April 1.
- People do not always speak precisely.
- If this were an important matter, I would ask the speaker for clarification.
- eg Do you just mean 'sent', or do you mean it must be received no later than April 1?
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2 Answers
0
Hi,
* The money must be sent by April 1.
I believe the above sentence means that the latest date allowed for sending the money is April 1.
People do not always speak precisely. If this were an important matter, I would ask the speaker for clarification.
eg Do you just mean 'sent', or do you mean it must be received no later than April 1?
eg Is the dead
* The money must be sent by April 1.
I believe the above sentence means that the latest date allowed for sending the money is April 1.
People do not always speak precisely. If this were an important matter, I would ask the speaker for clarification.
eg Do you just mean 'sent', or do you mean it must be received no later than April 1?
eg Is the dead
00
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