By the time

USAGE SUMMARY

"By the time" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a point in the past, present, or future. For example, "By the time the sun rises, I'll already be up and ready for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By the time Brig.

The New York Times - Books

By the time Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By the time our cr?

The New York Times

By the time the I.A.A.F.

The New Yorker

By the time I was ten,.

The New Yorker

By the time of Justin Martyr (c.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By the time the Ex.

The New York Times - Books

By the time the d.j.j

The New Yorker

By the time the current U.S.F.

The New York Times - Magazine

By the time Jay's father A.

The New Yorker

"By the time they're 30 they're through".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by the time", ensure that the verb tense in the main clause reflects the correct sequence of events (e.g., past perfect for completed actions in the past).

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense in both clauses when "by the time" indicates a sequence where one action is completed before another. Use past perfect in the clause describing the earlier action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the time" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, introducing a clause that specifies a time limit or condition before another event occurs. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in setting a chronological context for actions or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the time" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to establish temporal relationships between events, typically indicating that one action or state is completed before another occurs. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently found in various contexts, including News & Media and Encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, it's important to use appropriate verb tenses to accurately reflect the sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms the wide acceptance of this phrase across diverse registers, making it a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as

Emphasizes the immediacy of one event following another.

when

A general temporal conjunction indicating the occurrence of an event.

once

Highlights the completion of a prior action as a condition for the subsequent one.

before long

Suggests that something will happen relatively soon.

in due course

Indicates that something will happen eventually, at an appropriate time.

sooner or later

Implies that an event is inevitable, though its timing is uncertain.

eventually

Focuses on the final outcome, regardless of the time it takes.

ultimately

Highlights the final result or consequence, often after a long process.

in the end

Similar to 'ultimately', but may imply a sense of resolution.

afterward

Simply indicates that something happens later, without specifying the duration.

FAQs

How do I use "by the time" in a sentence?

"By the time" introduces a time frame before which something else happens or has happened. For example, "By the time I got there, the meeting had already started" indicates the meeting began before my arrival.

What are some alternatives to "by the time"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use phrases like "as soon as", "when", or "once".

Is it correct to use "by the time" for future events?

Yes, "by the time" can be used to describe future events. For example, "By the time you arrive, I will have finished cooking dinner" indicates a future sequence of events.

What's the difference between "by the time" and "until"?

"By the time" focuses on a specific point before which something is completed, whereas "until" indicates a duration leading up to a point. For example, "I waited until 5 PM" means the waiting continued up to that time; "By the time 5 PM arrived" emphasizes completion or a change occurring before that moment.