be gone by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be gone by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a deadline by which someone or something should leave or be removed from a place. Example: "Please ensure that all guests are gone by midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It'll all be gone by Monday.

Independent

[DNAinfo] Borders could be gone by Friday.

The New York Times

Everyone will be gone by now anyway.

The New Yorker

(Some will be gone by weekend).

The New Yorker

Mr Bush will be gone by next year.

The Economist

But they'll be gone by June, right?

The New York Times

Heynckes will be gone by then, though.

The Guardian - Sport

He will be gone by next summer.

The Guardian

Will all the flowers be gone by mid-summer?

The New Yorker

He reckons it will be gone by 2015.

The Economist

Today's glut of electricity could be gone by 2008.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be gone by" to clearly specify a deadline for someone or something to leave or be removed from a location. For example, "All contractors must be gone by 5 PM."

Common error

Avoid using "be gone by" when you mean something should be completed or finished. Instead, use "be completed by" or "be finished by" to indicate task completion rather than physical departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be gone by" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a deadline or timeframe by which something or someone is expected to depart or cease to exist in a particular place or state. It sets a clear expectation for a future state. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be gone by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that sets a deadline for departure or removal. As Ludwig confirms, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to inform or instruct about specific timeframes. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communication, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with phrases indicating task completion. When using "be gone by", ensure clarity and appropriateness for the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be finished by

Emphasizes completion rather than departure, focusing on the task being done.

be completed by

Similar to 'be finished by', but more formal and emphasizes the action of completing something.

be away by

Focuses specifically on physical absence or departure from a location.

be out of here by

More informal, emphasizing a quick or definite departure.

have left by

Highlights the action of leaving before a specific time.

no longer present after

Formal and descriptive, indicating the absence of something or someone.

be concluded by

Focuses on the end of an event or process.

reach the deadline of

Emphasizes meeting a specific deadline or timeframe.

must vacate by

Stronger emphasis on needing to leave a place.

should disappear by

Suggests a less formal or expected departure.

FAQs

How can I use "be gone by" in a sentence?

Use "be gone by" to indicate a deadline for departure or removal. For example, "The snow should "be gone by" morning" or "All attendees must "be gone by" midnight".

What's a more formal alternative to "be gone by"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "be completed by" or "be finished by" when referring to tasks, or "have left by" for departures.

Is it correct to say "be gone by" in professional writing?

Yes, "be gone by" is acceptable in professional writing, especially when setting clear expectations for when something or someone should no longer be present. However, context matters; ensure the tone is appropriate.

What is the difference between ""be gone by"" and "disappear by"?

"Be gone by" implies a scheduled or expected departure or removal. "Disappear by" suggests a more mysterious or sudden vanishing, which might not always be appropriate depending on the context.