by the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a point in time in the future, to indicate that something will have been done or completed by then. For example, "By the time summer arrives, I will have finished the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

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

All by the time he was 3.

The New York Times

By the time Gov.

The New York Times

By the time the Ex.

The New York Times - Books

By the time the I.M.F.

The New York Times

But by the time Capt.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the time" to clearly establish a temporal relationship between two events, ensuring the sequence is easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using future tenses in the clause introduced by "by the time" if the main clause is also in the future. For example, instead of "By the time he will arrive, we will have left", write "By the time he arrives, we will have left".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the time" functions as a temporal conjunction, connecting two clauses to indicate that one event will be completed or will have occurred before another. It sets a specific time frame for the completion of an action, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the time" is a common and grammatically correct temporal conjunction used to indicate that one event will be completed before another. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile, fitting seamlessly into various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. To ensure clarity, avoid using future tenses in the "by the time" clause and focus on clearly establishing the sequence of events. Alternatives like "as soon as", "when", and "before" can be used to achieve similar effects, but each carries slightly different nuances. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, "by the time" is a reliable tool for establishing temporal relationships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the point that

Highlights a particular point in time.

before that moment

More direct and emphasizes the temporal precedence.

as soon as

Highlights the immediacy of the second event following the first.

the instant that

Suggests a very short interval between two events.

when the moment arrives

Emphasizes the arrival of a specific moment.

prior to

Emphasizes the sequence of events, indicating what happens before a specific time.

once the occasion happens

Focuses on a specific event or occasion.

upon the occurrence of

More formal and emphasizes the happening of an event.

leading up to

Focuses on the period before a specific event, implying preparation or build-up.

in anticipation of

Focuses on preparing for a future moment.

FAQs

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

Use "by the time" to indicate that something will have happened before a specific moment or event. For example, "By the time the movie starts, we'll already be in our seats."

What are some alternatives to using "by the time"?

You can use alternatives such as "as soon as", "when", or "before" to convey a similar temporal relationship, depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "by the time" and "until"?

"By the time" specifies a point at which something has already happened, whereas "until" indicates a duration up to a certain point. For example, "By the time I arrived, they had already eaten" versus "I waited until they arrived".

Can I use "by the time" to refer to the past?

Yes, "by the time" can refer to both past and future events. For example, "By the time I realized the mistake, it was too late" (past) or "By the time you finish reading this, I'll be gone" (future).