Prepositions of Time: Until, By, During (A2 Grammar)

Use until for something that goes on up to a time and then stops.

until

• I was there until five.
• We played until it got dark.
• Try it: Woman: How long did you watch TV last night? Man: I watched it ___ eleven. Then I went to bed. Choose what the man says. (during / until / from) Answer: until — He watched TV and then stopped at eleven, so it is until eleven.

by

Use by when something happens at that time or before it.

• Please finish it by Friday.
• I'll be home by six.
• Try it: Man: When is the application due? Woman: You have to send it ___ June 1. After that, it is too late. Choose what the woman says. (by / until / during) Answer: by — June 1 is the last day, so he has to send it by June 1.

from … to

from … to gives the start and the end: from nine to five.

• I work from nine to five.
• The class is from Monday to Thursday.
• Try it: Man: Can we meet at 12:30? Woman: No, I have lunch ___ twelve to one. Choose what the woman says. (during / by / from) Answer: from — Twelve is the start and one is the end, so it is from twelve to one.

during

during + a time when something happens: during a class, during a trip.

• Don't use your phone during class.
• I read a lot during the trip.
• Try it: Man: Did you sleep on the plane? Woman: Yes, ___ the whole flight. Choose what the woman says. (until / during / by) Answer: during — The flight is the time when she was sleeping, so it is during the flight.

until or by?

Use until when something goes on and then stops. Use by when it happens one time, at that time or before it.

• I'm at work until six.
• I'll finish by six.
• Try it: Man: When do I have to give back your laptop? Woman: Please give it back ___ five. I need it tonight. Choose what the woman says. (until / during / by) Answer: by — She needs it at five or earlier, so he gives it back by five.