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Whats the difference between by and until?

Which one is correct?
Call me back by ten.
Call me back until ten.





Use by when something has to be finished before a certain time or day.

Call me back *by ten. (Calling is not a continuous action. Call me back until ten
would mean to continually make the call from now until ten oclock.)

* At could work if youre telling them to call you at exactly ten.

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Use until if youre talking about a continuous action. You continue to do an action
until a certain time.

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2
Cinderella

Cinderella could stay at the party _____________ midnight.

Cinderella had to be home ______________ midnight.

Cinderellas magic would end ______________ midnight.


Quiz Time Questions


Ill stay here and study _______ 5:00.

Ill leave here ________ 5:00.

Be home _______ 12.

Please return your book to the library _______ next
Monday.

A: Will you be in the office on Friday?
B: Sorry, Ill be on vacation ________ Sunday.

Be sure to give me your assignment _______ Wednesday.


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Quiz Time Answers & Explanations


Ill stay here and study until 5:00.

Staying and studying is a continuous action. You will be studying from now until 5.


Ill leave here by/at 5:00.

By and at both work here. Use at if you want to be more specific. Use by if youre
saying that 5:00 will be the latest time you will leave.


Be home by 12:00.

By would be the best option in this example because it would usually be ok if you
came home earlier than 12:00.


Please return your book to the library by next Monday.

Returning the book to the library would not be a continual action. You would not be
doing the action of returning the book from now until Monday (unless your library
is in a different country).


A: Will you be in the office on Friday?
B: Sorry, Ill be on vacation until Sunday.

You will be continually on vacation until Sunday. Youre not talking about a finish
time, youre talking about what you will be doing from now until Sunday.


Be sure to give me your assignment by Wednesday.

Your assignment is due Wednesday, so you would use by. It would usually be ok if
you handed it in before Wednesday. Also, never use at with a day.