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Last active December 10, 2015 21:08
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"by" and "until"
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gistfile1.md

Germans have a hard time with by and until

-> Use by for actions that will be or must be performed at some moment before a time.

-> Use until for actions that continue and stop at a time.

Examples:

  • I work until 17:00. (working happens continuously)
  • I will leave by 17:00. (leaving happens once)
  • Give me the report by 17:00. (giving the report happens once)
  • Fill this out by Friday. (filling it out happens once)
  • Jump up and down until I say stop. (jumping happens continuously)

Here is a sort of tricky one:

  • You have until Friday to fill it out. ("having" is a state with continues until Friday).
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