meirman
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:46 am
Post subject: Re: until vs by |
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In alt.english.usage on Mon, 11 Oct 2004 09:15:06 +0100 the Omrud
<usenet.omrud@gmail.com> posted:
| Quote: | Wakeley Purple typed thus:
KJH wrote:
Can you tell me the difference in meaning between these sentences?
(A)
1.I need it by monday.
2.I need it until monday.
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As the others have illustrated, Monday should be capitalized.
| Quote: | (B)
1.We need it by 8 o' clock.
2.We need it until 8 o' clock
Note that "by" implies "at the side of" or "near to". Thus "I need it by
Monday" ==> "I need it when Monday is nearly here."
Not to me - in this case, "by" means "before".
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Not to me - in this case, "by" means "at the start of the morning of".
It would be nice if were there before, but only because "I" can be
certain it is there, abd don't have to worry, and it allows leeway if
something goes wrong at the last minute. For example, if "B" took
"it" home to finish it, and then is sick and doesn't come in, or comes
in late on Monday, it won't matter.
OTOH, if it is known where "it" is, in someone's unlocked drawer
perhaps, then little can go wrong and first thing Monday morning is
fine.
If it doesn't relate to work, the time "I" wake up is normally the
"literal" meaning, but most people take time to dress and eat
breakfast, so 8AM is probably early enough, earlier for farmers.
If one wants it by midnight Sunday night, he has to be explicit.
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
now in Baltimore 20 years |
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