2016剑桥商务写作指南：by和until的区别

WRONG:Write the report until 5 pm.

RIGHT: Write the report by 5 pm.

Write the report until 5 pm means “Start writing the report now, continue writing it until 5 pm, then stop writing it regardless of whether it is finished or not.”

当你使用“until”意味着“从现在开始写报告，一直写，写到下午五点，然后不管你写没写完，都不能再写了”。

Write the report by 5 pm means “Make sure that at 5 pm the letter is written and finished”.

当你使用“by”就表示“确保一定要在下午五点前写完这封信”。

Use “by” when you refer to a deadline.

使用“by”，你指的是一个最后期限。

Use “until” when you refer to the period of time before a deadline.

使用“until”，你指的.是在最后期限之前的一段时间。

Here’s a summary:

总结：

1.I can do it by 5 pm.

我能在下午五点前做完。

2.I can do it until 5 pm.

我会做到下午五点(不管有没有完成)。

3.I can’t do it by 5 pm.

下午五点前我做不完。

4.I can’t do it until 5 pm.

我要到下午五点才能开始做。