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Hans51 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

You should return it on / by Dec. 25th.

You should return it on / by Dec. 25th.

Is there nuance between on / by dates?

When should I on or by?

Thank you so much as usual.
  

Top answer

This is how I see it: You should return it on December 25. This means you should return it on the specified date, not sooner or later. You should return it by December 25.

— Nugso

  • This is how I see it: You should return it on December 25.
  • This means you should return it on the specified date, not sooner or later.
  • You should return it by December 25.
  • This means that you should return it either either before the specified date, or on the date.
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4 Answers
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This is how I see it:

You should return it on December 25. This means you should return it on the specified date, not sooner or later.

You should return it by December 25. This means that you should return it either either before the specified date, or on the date.
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When you use "on," you mean that it has to be returned only on that particular date, i.e., only on 25th Dec., no other day. When you use "by," you mean that it can be returned on any of the days before 25th Dec. or on 25th Dec. Hope that helps!
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"On Dec. 25th" it means that you should return on 25th of December (on this day)
"By Dec. 25th" it means that you should return by 25th of December at the latest so you could do it on 23,24, or 25th December.
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You should return it by December 25th means you should return it on December 25th or earlier.
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