How long until Christmas?

Question

Hi,I'm in trouble. How long until Christmas? How long until your birthday? How long until is it Christmas? Are these ok?How long before Christmas? How long before your birthday? How long before is it Christmas? So what about using "before"? I think "until" is better for these cases...Those are quick questions. What would the extended versions be? I think they are like...How long is it until Christmas?But not "How long will it be until Christmas?"...And if I say "How long until/before Bush causes the Third World War?", are both "until" and "before" ok? I would use "before" in these cases. And I think the extended version would be "How long will it be until/before Bush causes the Third World War?" and not  "How long is it until/before Bush causes the Third World War?"Advice? Thank you

Feebs11 · Accepted Answer

KooyeenHi,
I'm in trouble.

How long until Christmas? How long until your birthday? How long until is it Christmas? Are these ok? The first two are fine; the third one should be "until it is".

How long before Christmas? How long before your birthday? How long before is it Christmas? So what about using "before"? I think "until" is better for these cases... Colloquially quite usual, but not as grammatically correct.

Those are quick questions. What would the extended versions be? I think they are like...
How long is it until Christmas? Fine
But not "How long will it be until Christmas?"... also fine

And if I say "How long until/before Bush causes the Third World War?", are both "until" and "before" ok? I would use "before" in these cases. And I think the extended version would be "How long will it be until/before Bush causes the Third World War?" and not "How long is it until/before Bush causes the Third World War?" This last one could be used in a rhetorical way - for instance, if someone is making a speech.

Advice? Thank you

These are all good examples of the flexibility of English. None are incorrect, and they can be used interchangably.

Kooyeen · Answer

Thank you Feebs.
I hope Americans use "before" and "until" the way you described them...

Yankee · Answer

Hi Kooyeen

What Feebs wrote sounds just fine to my American ears.

The one I don't like very much is "How long will it be until Christmas?" but I guess it might be used sometimes, in some contexts.

Kooyeen · Answer

yeah Amy, that's the one I thought was not ok...

And thank you so much again!

How long until Christmas?

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