what is the difference between at and by when they are used to express time?
2006-06-16 05:11:08 · 20 answers · asked by Ramtan 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Everyone's more or less right so far.
But there is another explanation as well.
If you were to call AT 6, I will be home--possibly because I never left, possibly because I will arrive before six, or possible I will arrive exactly at exactly at six.
If I will be home BY six, it means I definately left, but if you want to call, then six is the earliest you can call to be guaranteed of reaching me at home.
By saying I will be home at 6, I am saying don't expect me to arrive home before that time
By saying I will be home by six, don't expect me to arrive home later than that.time
2006-06-16 07:19:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference is by saying that you will be home at 6:00 means that you will be home at 6:00. When you say that you will be home by 6:00, you will be home sometime before 6:00. I don't know if that is your question -- or if you are asking it in a grammatical sense.
2006-06-16 05:15:52 · answer #2 · answered by Kristina H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 6 means exactly at 6; by six means anytime before 6 and includes 6, but not later than...
2006-06-16 05:14:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone says they will be there "at 6" then they will show up exactly "at 6".
When someone says they will be there "by 6" that means they could show up anytime before 6 but will not be later than 6 - there is some flexibility there.
2006-06-16 05:16:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
AT 6 means you be get there at there 6 o'clock
BY 6 means sometime between now and 6 o'clock
2006-06-16 05:15:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being home at 6 is a precise statement. This means you will be home AT 6, not 5:59, not 6:01.
Being home by 6 means you will be home prior to 6. (5:59 or sooner)
2006-06-16 05:14:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
at six means exactly at 6, and by 6 means before 6 or 6 at the latest
2006-06-16 05:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at 6 means that you will be home on 6:00 sharp.
by 6 means that you will be home before or on 6:00
2006-06-16 05:34:07 · answer #8 · answered by skybubbles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being home at 6 means what it sounds like...being home BY 6 means you might be home earlier, but it won't be later than 6.
2006-06-16 05:15:12 · answer #9 · answered by onyxflame 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by is any time before 6 and at 6 is at 6 o'clock
2006-06-16 05:17:17 · answer #10 · answered by Lil Shorty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋