Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 120 · B1

by and until by the time ...

By means not later than; until (or till) says how long a situation continues; by the time something happens means during the stretch before it, for the future or the past.

Start the lesson

13Steps · about 23 minutes

In this lesson

by = not later thanA1 screen of questions
until (till) = how long it continuesB4 screens of questions
by the timeC1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

by = not later than

By a time means on or before it, not later.

  • I sent the parcel this morning, so it should reach you by Thursday.
  • Get a move on. We have to be home by six.
  • Where's the plumber? He said he'd be here by now. (he should already be here)
  • Use by 14 August.

Point A · Exercise 120.1

Rewrite the sentences with by.

  1. Example

    The essay must be handed in no later than Friday. The essay must be handed in by Friday.

    AnswerThe essay must be handed in by Friday.

  2. I need to be at the airport no later than 5.15. I need to be at the airport .

  3. Let me know not later than Friday whether you can come to the barbecue. Let me know whether you can come to the barbecue.

  4. Please make sure you're here not later than three o'clock. Please make sure that .

  5. If we set off now, we should be there no later than teatime. If we set off now, .

Point B of 3

until (till) = how long it continues

until (or till) marks how long a situation goes on.

until: continues up to then by: happens no later than then
Joe will be away until Monday. (he'll be back on Monday) Joe will be back by Monday. (not later than Monday)
I'll be working until half eleven. (then I stop) I'll have finished by half eleven. (not later)
  • "Shall we go?" "No, let's wait until the rain stops."
  • I was worn out on Sunday. I didn't get up until eleven.
  • I didn't get up until half ten.
  • Joe will be away until Monday.
  • Joe will be back by Monday.

Point B · Exercise 120.2 · part 1 of 4

Put in by or until.

  1. Example

    Steve is at a conference. He'll be there until Thursday.

    AnswerSteve is at a conference. He'll be there until Thursday.

  2. Sorry, I must dash. I have to be home five.

  3. According to the forecast, the wet weather will continue the weekend.

  4. I can't decide whether to apply for the job. I have to decide Friday.

  5. I think I'll wait Thursday before I decide.

Point B · Exercise 120.2 · part 2 of 4

Put in by or until.

  1. I'm still waiting for Tom to ring. He should have rung now.

  2. My library books are due back. They have to be returned Saturday.

  3. Don't buy the sofa now. Wait the sales start.

  4. We haven't finished decorating yet. We hope to finish Tuesday.

Point B · Exercise 120.2 · part 3 of 4

Put in by or until.

  1. "Will you still be at work at half six?" "No, I'll have gone home then."

  2. The new kitchen goes in next month. We're eating takeaways then.

  3. I've got a mountain of work. the time I finish, it'll be time for bed.

  4. There's no rush. The film doesn't start half eight.

Point B · Exercise 120.2 · part 4 of 4

Put in by or until.

  1. It is hoped the new bypass will be finished the end of the year.

Point C of 3

by the time

By the time something happens means during the time before it, often with a sense that a lot happens meanwhile. It works for the future and the past. By then and by that time are also possible.

  • There's no point going to the post office now. By the time we get there, it'll have closed.
  • Leave early for the match. By the time you've parked and queued at the turnstiles, it'll be kick-off.
  • Come on! By the time we reach the theatre, the play will have started.
  • Karen's train was cancelled. By the time she got to the wedding, the speeches had finished.
  • I had piles of work last night. I was exhausted by the time I finished.
  • Karen finally arrived at ten, but by then the speeches had finished.

Point C · Exercise 120.4

Read the situations and complete the sentences with By the time ... .

  1. Example

    I was meant to be at a wedding at two, but the traffic was awful. By the time I got to the wedding, the ceremony was over.

    AnswerBy the time I got to the wedding, the ceremony was over.

  2. I hoped to catch the last ferry, but the queue for petrol took ages. , it had already sailed.

  3. I planned to go for a swim after my shift, but my shift ran over. , the pool had closed.

  4. I saw two men who seemed to be trying to steal a car. I rang the police, but it was a while before they came. , the two men had disappeared.

  5. We cycled up a long hill to see the sunset, but it took far longer than we thought. , the sun had gone down.

Put it together · Exercise 120.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete these sentences with your own ideas, using by or until.

  1. Example

    Dave is on holiday this week. He'll be away ...

    He'll be away until Sunday.

    Example answerHe'll be away until Sunday.

  2. Example

    Dave is on holiday this week. He'll be back ...

    He'll be back by Sunday.

    Example answerHe'll be back by Sunday.

  3. I'm nipping to the cashpoint. Two minutes. Stay in the car ...

  4. I'm just popping out. It's half four now. I'll be back ...

  5. To enter the competition, you must send your photo ...

  6. My passport is valid ...

Put it together · Exercise 120.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete these sentences with your own ideas, using by or until.

  1. The trains were cancelled and I had to get a coach. I didn't arrive ...

Lesson 120 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: at/on/in (time)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. by = not later than–Not checkedB. until (till) = how long it continues–Not checkedC. by the time–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked