Prepositions of Time in English: BY, UNTIL, BY THE TIME, NO LATER THAN...

TRANSCRIPT

So we're going to start by figuring out: What's the difference between these two? So look at our example sentences. I'll get to our little time map in a second. "I'll be at the office until noon.", "I'll be at the office by noon." Now, first of all, let's assume the average workday is about... Is from 9 until about 5 o'clock, but I have some... I have some meetings in the afternoon so I will have to leave the office. But if you want to meet with me, I'll be there until noon. What does that mean? It means that I will arrive at the office at the usual time, 9 o'clock, and I will stay there. So my stay at the office will continue until noon. At noon I will leave. Okay? So this is when we're using "until". Now, before I get in... Into that again, let's look at the second one. "I'll be at the office by noon." So, here, we're looking at somewhere in this time, but not later than noon I will arrive at the office. Okay?

Now, what's the key difference between these two? Well, one, something continues. An action starts, continues, and it ends at that time mentioned after "until". So both of them have an end time. You could even say a deadline, but that's for other uses. There's an end time. And that end time is noon. Okay? Something will happen at noon. Now, in the case of "by", it could happen before. In the case of "until", only one thing will happen. But the key to remember: When we use "by", we're looking at a finite action. This arrive is a one-time thing. Right? It'll... It can happen here, it could happen here, it could even happen here. With "until" only here will I leave. Okay? Now, what's the difference, another difference that we have to think about? Is not only the continuance of an action and the finite situation of an action; here, we're looking at something ending. My time at the office will end. Here, something can end or start. So if you want to meet me, I'll be in the office by noon, so you can meet me from noon until 5. So the start time, the earliest time you can meet me is noon. The latest time you can meet me is just before noon because I'm leaving at noon. Right? So that's one thing to keep in mind. The... Basically the implied situation. Now: "I'll be at the office by noon and I'll stay until 5." You can use both of them in one sentence. Sometime in here I'll arrive, and then from 12 till 5, I'll be at the office.

So, what's the key? Now I hope you basically notice this. What's the key difference in these two sentences, is it the preposition? Yes. Different prepositions, different meanings. But what I hope you realize is that the difference is in the verb "be". Why? What does "be" mean here, and what does "be" mean here? "Be... I'll be at the office until... Until noon", means I will stay at the office until noon. So this situation will continue. Here, "be" means arrive. "I will arrive at the office by noon." So, one point here in this time... Timeframe I guess you could call it, something will happen. Continued, finite. "Finite" means it's a one-time action and that's it, it's finished. So that's a very important thing to remember with "by". Okay? "By", and we also think about: "at", "on", or "before". So, "at" for time. This is a little review of prepositions. "At 5 o'clock", "on Friday", "on day", so: "At 5 o'clock or before.", "At noon or before.", "On Friday or before." Okay? "Until"... Now, we don't use this preposition "to", but something continues to the end time.

[boscocoelho]

Adam, you are the best english teacher for me. I can understand one hundred percent what you're saying and teaching. You make me love even more this language.

[MinaNemat]

thank you teacher. You are the best teacher in the world

[quentinlafayette]

Wish my teacher was this good back then, I literally learned this language through internet. I really recommend this channel to anyone trying to improve their English! Easy to understand due to the perfect explanations and a well pronunciation.

[MrAdhikar]

Just realising how a good teacher conveys and make student understand easily. Superb!

[Fitnesszone-]

I got the lesson properly. I have never seen someone who teaches explained properly you are the best teacher for us
Thanks a lot

[Jollon]

I think you're the best teaching english. Greetings from Italy

[Naubar]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge prepositions of time in english

[dimitartodorov]

Adam is the best! I understand every word he say! It's a pity, that all native speakers don't speak by this way!

[마부작침-pp]

I appreciate one of your great lectures or lessons. I normally take yours on my way to and from work. Thanks a milion again for getting me straight !

[heribertocuellar]

Fully thankful for all the knowledge you share to us Adam.
I hope one day I could teach as you do!

[alittlejourney]

I have daily routines like study english from 8 a.m. and I'll be done no more later than 9 p.m.
Thanks Adam I have improved my english since study english by watching

[mohammadhassanpournader]

Hi Adam
I am too much glad, that you are my best teacher .
I think you are especialist among the others .
I am so happy that you know everything about English language .basically about grammar .
I learn English language from you .
I hope you will be always safe and success in your business and life .M H Pournader .

[DianaWu]

This lesson is great.Now I am clear about the difference between until and by. English is a language which is quite logical.

[kishansinghbisht]

Very systematic and organized way of explanation, heartiest thanks to Mr Adam keep going

[jenniferwu]

Adam, you are the best English teacher I've ever met.

[ismailhilmiaksit]

what I exactly understood from these two sentences are;When I say 'I'll be at the office until noon' means=I'll come to the office at 09.00 and wont leave the office till 12.00 so anytime u come to office, u can find me there whereas when we say 'I'll be at the office by noon' means there is no definite time for to arrive at the office, I might come maybe at 10 or eleven or 11.59 so U cant find me in the office at a certain time, I cant give you a specific time period, So if the person u wanna meet tells you that he''ll be at the office by noon, u definitely will av to ask him what exact time will u be in the office, great examples to pick this subject properly

[yusuphasenga]

Thanks Adam somebody doesn't know anything but we watch you YouTube everyday right know they know a little.thanks

[alfonsomoser]

This lesson is quite difficult because when I am talking I don’t think about which preposition I should use and right now I realised that sometimes I make mistakes.... thanks Adam

[keung]

Thank you, Adam. I can understand most of your English, which gives me great confidence .

[arlindoferreira]

I appreciate your way of teaching because most beginners are doubtful concerning to english grammar.