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J4P0N315 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Using correctly the "by" (time)
Hello, folks.
I think my question is very simple, but i couldn't find the answer at Google...
In the sentence "I'm expected to be at my friend's house by 10pm.", I know the word "by"means before 10pm, but it can also means far earlier than 10pm, for example, at 8 or 9? Or only a little bit earlier, for example, at 20 or 15 to 10pm?
Hope somebody can help me...
I'd like to thanx everyone in advance!
I think my question is very simple, but i couldn't find the answer at Google...
In the sentence "I'm expected to be at my friend's house by 10pm.", I know the word "by"means before 10pm, but it can also means far earlier than 10pm, for example, at 8 or 9? Or only a little bit earlier, for example, at 20 or 15 to 10pm?
Hope somebody can help me...
I'd like to thanx everyone in advance!
Top answer
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15 Answers
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How much of a time range "by" means is going to depend entirely on the situation, although I would think more often than not it will mean at approximately that time (within fifteen minutes?).
00
Hi,
It means no later than 10 pm, and suggests that earlier is fine.
How early is a matter not of language but of custom and context.
Why are you going to your friend's house?
Clive
It means no later than 10 pm, and suggests that earlier is fine.
How early is a matter not of language but of custom and context.
Why are you going to your friend's house?
Clive
00
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to my knowledge one can use the word by in the sentence that you have mentioned.
00
And what if it's Company X in association with Company Y . . .do you use invite or invites?
00
invites
Company X is the subject.
Please start a new thread with any other new query you have.
Clive
Company X is the subject.
Please start a new thread with any other new query you have.
Clive
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J4P0N315Hope somebody can help me.If someone says, "Ten o'clock is too late", what time is too early?
This is the question you're asking, and the answer to the question cannot be inferred from the information given.
CJ
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If you give or receive instructions to do something by a specific time, it means that is latest time you should do it. The implied before "time frame" isn't stated, but it is usually intended to mean "no later than, but some time earlier will be satisfacory. The amount of advance time implied depends on the context. If your teacher says she wants your compostion by Friday, she will usually not
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