ready by then

USAGE SUMMARY

"ready by then" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used when expressing an expectation about how quickly something will be done. For example: "I'm asking you to have the project ready by then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

NED: I'll be ready by then.

The New Yorker

A young hammer thrower he was training would be ready by then.

The New York Times

But Collins acknowledged that Reyes would probably not be ready by then.

The New York Times - Sports

A spokesman for the central bank said that the report was not ready by then.

The New York Times

"Because of that, we must really rush to have the ceiling ready by then".

The New York Times - Sports

"But I'm really not planning on having him ready by then".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I'll be there, again, beach-body-ready by then of course.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to IEEE Spectrum, which got a demo of the tech, Quanergy is planning to have a preproduction version of the sensor ready by September 2016, then ramp up production in Q4 this year before starting to deliver to OEMs in early 2017.

TechCrunch

This bill requires Xcel to have a plan ready by Aug 15, then allows another 17 weeks for all stakeholders to get ready to implement the change, followed by a full eight years to complete the transition.

Huffington Post

Williams and the Nets immediately predicted a return by this season's October training camp, but the charismatic center was not ready to play by then.

The New York Times - Sports

TigerDirect will open the floodgates on TouchPad bundles today at 2 30PM Eastern, so those of you yearning for one final taste of webOS had best be ready to go by then.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ready by then", ensure the context clearly defines the point in time being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "ready by then" without a clear antecedent for "then". Always establish a specific time or event to which "then" refers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready by then" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of preparedness at a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing how it's used to express expectations or deadlines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sports

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ready by then" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something will be prepared or completed by a specific time. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its wide usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Sports, and Business. While suitable for neutral and professional settings, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the point in time being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases, such as "prepared by that time" or "available at that point", offer alternative ways to convey similar concepts. Overall, "ready by then" is a versatile and effective way to set expectations for future preparedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepared by that time

Focuses on the state of being prepared rather than readiness.

available at that point

Emphasizes availability instead of readiness or preparedness.

completed by that date

Highlights the completion of a task by a specific time.

finished by the deadline

Stresses meeting a deadline with the completed work.

up to speed by then

Indicates being fully informed and capable by a certain time.

in shape by that moment

Focuses on physical or mental fitness by a certain point.

organized by the time

Highlights the state of being well-organized at a future moment.

set by the appointed time

Emphasizes the arrangement or setting up of something before the specified time.

qualified by that juncture

Indicates meeting the necessary qualifications at that point in time.

equipped by that period

Focuses on having the necessary equipment or resources by a certain time.

FAQs

How do I use "ready by then" in a sentence?

Use "ready by then" to indicate that something will be prepared or completed by a specific time in the future. For example, "I expect the report to be ready by then."

What can I say instead of "ready by then"?

You can use alternatives like "prepared by that time", "available at that point", or "completed by that date" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ready for then" instead of "ready by then"?

No, "ready for then" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "ready by then", which indicates a state of preparedness at or before a specific time.

What's the difference between "ready by then" and "will be ready then"?

"Ready by then" implies an expectation or a target for completion, while "will be ready then" is a simple statement of future readiness. The nuance depends on the speaker's intent and the context of the conversation.