Welcome to twominenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.
In this lesson you will learn how to use the words “by” and “until.”
“By” and “until” both speak of a particular point in time which is the endpoint or deadline of something or some task.
We use the word ‘by' when we mean something should end before a particular time or at that particular time.
For example: I will meet Diana by 2 PM. It means I will meet Diana before 2 PM or at 2 PM.
Therefore we mean ‘at' or ‘before' a certain time. By the way, Diana's flight is late. She'll reach only by the evening.
Oh! That's right, I almost forgot. But don't forget that “by” is usually used to denote a deadline.
You'll understand by the end of the lesson for sure!
Sure I will, Glenn! We use ‘until' when we speak of something that ends at a particular time.
For example: This lesson will continue until you understand it completely.
Yes Anna, “until” means something continues to a certain point and stops at that particular point.
Anna, will you stay until Glenn arrives?
Yeah, no problem. Mark doesn't mind if I'm late until he's real hungry, but I'll have to be home by 8PM.
Hey, why don't you tell Mark to pick Diana up from the airport and come over here? It's been months since we had dinner together!
Nice idea! Lemme call him up and find out if he'll be free from work by the evening.
Hi there, Diana! How was your trip?
Hello Mark! What a surprise! Oh! It's the usual lousy flight schedules. I had to wait at the Geneva airport until the next flight.
I think it's because of the hurricane, right? I didn't think you'd arrive by 7 PM.
Yeah, that's right. I was lucky to get a seat on the next flight.
C'mon let's go, you look very tired.
You really do travel a lot, don't you, Diana?
That's a part of my job. I have to visit Congo again next week and I have to be there by Tuesday.
You travel to Africa often! What's the deal?
I am doing a documentary series on African tribes and I'll have to go there often until it's completed.
I believe we should try and try until we succeed.
Is that why you keep churning out new business ideas even though so many have failed, Mark?
Hey! I don't know how to quit. Anyway, my next idea is a great one. I will be a millionaire by next year.
Or maybe by the year after the next.
As long as it takes! I can't stop trying until I succeed.
I must say Mark. Your spirit is awesome!
She'll reach only by the evening.
This lesson will continue until you understand it completely.
Mark doesn't mind if I'm late until he's real hungry, but I'll have to be home by 8PM.
I didn't think you'd arrive by 7 PM.
I'll have to go there often until it's completed.
I think we should try and try until we succeed.
I will be a millionaire by next year.
Or maybe by the year after the next.