'when do you need it by?' means: How much time do you need to complete that job? -or- when do you need the job

Question

i am not quite clear about the saying:'when do you need it by?'--it means: How much time do you need to complete that job? -or- when do you need the job done? Anyway, I am trying to find a delight way to ask my boss the deadline…any suggestions?

Answer 1

asking 'when do you need it by' would be asking 'what is the latest that i can return this to you'.

it is in a way the opposite of 'how much time do you need to complete the job' because it is impossing the deadline, but not on the basis of the time needed.

Answer 2

This does mean 'when is the deadline?'. e.g. when do you need the job done.

You could ask your boss "when do you need it by?" and s/he may reply "Tuesday is the deadline, but Monday afternoon would be nice."

Hope the boss is impressed with your English!

Answer 3

I need a job to become selfsufficient and independent.

Answer 4

"I need it by..." basically means the person or persons need whatever they're asking for ON or BEFORE the date and/or time that they specify.

Answer 5

'when do you need it by?' = "when do you need it to be ready?"