商务写作指南：by和until的区别

　　WRONG:Write the report until 5 pm.

　　RIGHT: Write the report by 5 pm.

　　Write the report until 5 pm means “Start writing the report now, continue writing it until 5 pm, then stop writing it regardless of whether it is finished or not.”

　　当你使用“until”意味着“从现在开始写报告，一直写，写到下午五点，然后不管你写没写完，都不能再写了”。

　　Write the report by 5 pm means “Make sure that at 5 pm the letter is written and finished”.

　　当你使用“by”就表示“确保一定要在下午五点前写完这封信”。

　　Use “by” when you refer to a deadline.

　　使用“by”，你指的是一个最后期限。

　　Use “until” when you refer to the period of time before a deadline.

　　使用“until”，你指的是在最后期限之前的一段时间。

　　Here’s a summary:

　　总结：

　　1.I can do it by 5 pm.

　　我能在下午五点前做完。

　　2.I can do it until 5 pm.

　　我会做到下午五点(不管有没有完成)。

　　3.I can’t do it by 5 pm.

　　下午五点前我做不完。

　　4.I can’t do it until 5 pm.

　　我要到下午五点才能开始做。