English Reference

00 / Grammar and structure

until vs by

Until marks the duration of a continuous state, while by marks a deadline for a single event.

01 / Side by side

  • until

    up to a specific point

    The office will remain closed until the renovations are finished next Monday morning.

  • by

    no later than a time

    Please ensure that you submit the final report by five o'clock this evening.

02 / Watch out

  • Wrong: The shop is open by 9:00 PM every night.Right: The shop is open until 9:00 PM every night.

  • Wrong: I need to finish this project until Friday.Right: I need to finish this project by Friday.

03 / Remember

Until = How long. By = When it's due.

04 / Quick check

Fill the gap with one of the two options.

  1. 1.

    The fitness app will keep tracking your heart rate you press the stop button after your run.

  2. 2.

    Please ensure you upload the final project files to the shared drive tomorrow morning.

  3. 3.

    We stayed at the beach the sun went down behind the cliffs.

  4. 4.

    The fans waited outside the stadium the team bus finally arrived for the victory parade.

  5. 5.

    The guests should arrive noon if the train stays on schedule today.

05 / More like this

All Grammar and structure sets →