By/before this Friday

Question

All students have to hand in their papers by this Friday.Hi,Is "by this Friday" in the above equal to "before this Friday?" If not, what are their differences? Thanks.

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

By 5:00 pm Friday = No later than 5:00 pm, 4:55 is still ok.

Before Friday = All papers must be turned in prior to Friday, that means if classes end normally at 4 pm, you must turn in your paper no later than 4 pm Thursday.

CalifJim · Answer

AngliholicIs "by this Friday" in the above equal to "before this Friday?"

You'll probably find a variety of opinions on this one.

These are my own subjective impressions, and they don't necessarily agree with others'.

For one thing, by (a certain time) is so idiomatic in English for specifying a time limit that before(a certain time) almost sounds lame in that context.

by (a certain time) gives the impression of a time limit, an urgency to finish. It almost suggests the necessity of hurrying to complete a task which it is only barely possible to finish in the allotted time. The task will probably be finished just within the deadline.

before (a certain time) gives the impression that there is little problem in completing the task, that the task might easily be completed well in advance of the suggested time, or perhaps that there is no task at all to complete. (The sun will set before 7:15 today.)

It seems to me that I always use by when specifying a deadline.

CJ

By/before this Friday

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions