by thursday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by Thursday" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a deadline or a specific time frame by which something should be completed or submitted. Example: "Please submit your report by Thursday to ensure it is reviewed in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But by Thursday, their story was known.

The New York Times

"By Thursday, it will be finished.

The New York Times

By Thursday, Cowboy Town was empty.

The New York Times

"We have to do this by Thursday.

The New York Times

By Thursday evening, the ads were gone.

The New York Times

By Thursday, that position had become unsustainable.

The New York Times

By Thursday 15 December.

The Guardian - Money

The situation changed by Thursday.

The New York Times

He requested responses by Thursday.

The Guardian

Please register by Thursday, January 31.

Columbia University

By Thursday evening, the building was demolished.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by Thursday" when setting a clear deadline for tasks or submissions. This provides a specific timeframe, ensuring clarity and accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "by Thursday" with future perfect tense (e.g., "will have been done by Thursday") unless you need to emphasize completion before a future point relative to Thursday. Usually, the future simple or present perfect tense are clearer and more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by Thursday" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to specify a deadline or timeframe. It indicates when an action should be completed, similar to examples Ludwig shows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by Thursday" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a deadline or a specific point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct and usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase of time, primarily used in news, academic, and business contexts to set clear expectations for task completion. When using "by Thursday", ensure it clearly indicates a deadline and isn't confused with phrases like "until Thursday". Alternatives such as "on or before Thursday" or "no later than Thursday" can provide similar meaning. The phrase is versatile and appropriate for various communication styles, as it maintains a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on or before Thursday

Specifies that the action should occur on Thursday at the latest.

no later than Thursday

Emphasizes the deadline aspect, clarifying that Thursday is the absolute latest.

Thursday at the latest

A more concise version of "no later than Thursday".

before the end of Thursday

Highlights that the entire day of Thursday is acceptable, but no later.

by the close of business Thursday

Adds a business context, implying a professional deadline.

due Thursday

A shorter way to say something is expected to be completed by Thursday

Thursday deadline

Highlights that Thursday is the deadline for something.

by Thursday's end

Specifies that the latest it can occur is at the end of the day on Thursday

Thursday is the cutoff

Emphasizes that Thursday is the limit.

prior to Friday

Indicates the action must happen before Friday, making Thursday the last possible day.

FAQs

What does "by Thursday" mean?

The phrase "by Thursday" means that something needs to be completed or submitted on or before Thursday of the current week. It sets a deadline, indicating the latest acceptable time for an action to occur.

What can I say instead of "by Thursday"?

You can use alternatives like "on or before Thursday", "no later than Thursday", or "Thursday at the latest" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "until Thursday" instead of "by Thursday"?

While both phrases involve Thursday, they have different meanings. "Until Thursday" implies a continuous state up to Thursday, while "by Thursday" indicates a deadline for completion. For example, "The library is open until Thursday" vs. "The report is due by Thursday."

How do I use "by Thursday" in a sentence?

You can use "by Thursday" to set a deadline. For example, "Please submit your application by Thursday." or "The project needs to be finished by Thursday."