By and Until

By and until

Two basic rules

1. Time factor

by: Do something (or something happens) at or before a certain time.

until (or till:) From one time to another time.

2. Verb sense

When you are in a 'by'-or-'until'? situation, ask yourself what the meaning or sense of the verb is.

by: momentary (We have to turn in a 20-page report by next class...)

till: continuous (...so I will have to work on the report from now until tomorrow morning.)

But there are additional considerations.

Negation

Not doing something is a continuous state, not a momentary event. So, an event that was momentary becomes a continuous state when we speak of it negatively.

You must have heard the teacher wrong. We don't have to turn in that report until next Friday.

But when we simply negate a question or statement, we are not changing the nature of the verb; we are changing only the question or statement itself. So we don't change 'by' to 'until':

A: We have to turn in a 20-page report by next class.
B: No, that's not true. We don't have to turn it in by next class.

Two or more senses of the same word.

Many words have more than one sense (can be used in more than one way). Is the word 'meet', for example, continuous or momentary? It can be either, depending on the context that it is used in.

A: When shall we meet? (momentary)
B: We have a lot of work to do. We'll have to meet by 3:00 so that we can finish by diner time.

A: How long did they meet? (continuous)
B: They had lots of work to do, so they met until 6. (The verb is considered limited, and the form is limited, but the sense in this context is unlimited.)

A: When will you need this money that you are lending me? (momentary; means begin to need.)
B: I will need it by next Monday to pay my water bill. or: I won't need it till next Monday.

A: How long will you need this money that I am lending you? (continuous)
B: I will need it until next week Friday because I have a few things to buy during that week.

Multi-meaning lexicals are hard to see:

She thought she'd starve to death __ payday. [continuous sense starve: till; momentary sense death: by]

I will study this book __ next week. [continuous sense: till; momentary sense 'complete the study': by]

Originator versus responder:

How about this sentence: I won't be able to give it back to you ___ tomorrow.

Originator: The focus is not give but not be able to give. initiate

When can you give it back? I won't be able to give it back to you till tomorrow.

Responder: This is a response made in answer to a statement, command, or question.

Please give it back to me by tomorrow. I'm afraid I won't be able to give it back to you by then.

Can you give it back to me by tomorrow? I can't give it back to you by tomorrow, but I can by the following week.

What would you do if...?

Use by, until or as soon as in your answers. For as soon as, think immediately after: "I'll bring it back immediately after/as soon as I finish it." For all three words, consider time factor and verb sense when you answer each question. The focal verb is in your answer, but it is also often in the question. So look for the focal verb in the questions below before you answer.

1. Situation: You are going to borrow a novel from me for casual reading.

a. When will you bring it back?
b. How long will you keep it?
c. When will you finish reading the novel?

2. Situation: You are going to try to get a driver's license.

a. How soon can I have a ride in your car?
b. Will you practice for a long time?
c. If you start learning now, how soon will you have your license?

3. Situation: You are going to loan me W10,000.

a. How long do I have to pay it back? (See the note* at the end of this activity.)
b. When should I pay it back?
c. Do you need the money back soon?

4. Situation: You are going to take a trip to Pusan.

a. When do you think you'll return to Seoul?
b. If I get lonely for you, can I go to Pusan and meet you?
c. When will I be able to see you again in Seoul?
d. Will you be in Pusan very long?

5. Situation: You must give your teacher a ten-page report in English.

a. When do you have to hand it in?
b. When can I meet you again for a beer?
c. What if you make a lot of grammar mistakes?
d. Did your teacher give you much time to write it?

6. Situation: You're going on a date tonight.

a. Can your date stay out all night with you?
b. How long will you be holding hands in Samchong Park?
c. What time does your mother expect you back?
d. When will you see your date again?
e. Will your mother wait up for you?

*How long do I have to study?

obligation: You have to study 3 hours (and then you can go out and meet your friends).
allowance: You have 3 hours to study (and then you must stop and take the exam).

Playing around with by and till

Use by or until and the phrases below the situation to say more about the following statements. Today is Monday, December 10. Say the new day or the date after you say by or till..

Example

Situation: I can't go to the store for 10 days.

will be closed

It will be closed till the 20th of December. (The 20th is 10 days later.)

won't open again

It won't open again till the 20th of December.

finish all my Christmas shopping

I'll be able to finish all my Christmas shopping by the 20th.

Situation: I am reading a murder mystery. I will finish it 2 days later. I have to return it to the friend I borrowed it from.

won't finish it

will finish it

will return the book

won't be able to return it

Situation: I want to meet my friend, but I'm very busy and can't meet her today, tomorrow or the next day.

will be busy

be through with my work

won't be able to meet

will be able to meet

Answers for Exercise 1

Time factor and focal words determine whether you should use by, until, or as soon as. For by, the time factor is a point (at or before) an event, not a continuing state or action; the focal word is a momentary sense, not form. For until, the time factor is continuous; and the focal word represents a continuous state or action. Below, the focal words are underlined.