Mastering "By Closing Time": A Simple Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

Have you ever needed to describe a deadline or a specific moment when something must be finished? English offers many ways to express time, and one common and useful adverbial phrase is "by closing time". This phrase is perfect for when you need to specify a deadline, often related to when a business or place shuts its doors. If you're looking to enhance your fluency in English and use time expressions naturally, understanding this important time expression will certainly help. It's a simple phrase that modifies verbs, telling us when an action needs to be completed.

Table of Contents

• What Does "By Closing Time" Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "By Closing Time"?
• Example Sentences with "By Closing Time"
• When and How to Use "By Closing Time"
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does "By Closing Time" Mean?

The adverbial phrase "by closing time" means no later than the moment a business, shop, or venue shuts for the day. It indicates a deadline. For example, if a library closes at 6 PM, this phrase means before or at 6 PM. This expression specifies when an action or task must be completed. It’s a common way to set a clear time limit.

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "By Closing Time"?

This is an adverbial phrase of time. It functions in a sentence to tell us when an action happens or needs to happen.

Its grammatical structure breaks down like this:

• "by": This is a preposition. Here, "by" means "not later than."
• "closing time": This is a noun phrase, consisting of the gerund "closing" acting as an adjective modifying "time." It refers to the specific moment a place closes.

You can typically place this phrase in a few positions within a sentence:

• At the end of a sentence (most common):
  • Subject + Verb + [Adverbial Phrase]
  • We must finish this report by closing time.
• At the beginning of a sentence (for emphasis):
  • [Adverbial Phrase], Subject + Verb
  • By closing time*, all customers had left the store.*

More: Mastering 'Throughout the Entire Week': A Simple English Grammar Guide

Example Sentences with "By Closing Time"

Let's look at some example sentences to see how to use this phrase naturally. These examples show how the phrase clarifies a deadline.

• Please return all rented movies by closing time today.
• The team hoped to resolve the issue by closing time.
• All deliveries must be signed for by closing time this evening.

Here are a few short dialogues:

• Person A: Do you think we can complete the inventory today?

• Person B: Yes, if we work fast, we can finish it by closing time.

• Person A: I need to pick up my dry cleaning. When do they close?

• Person B: Their sign says you need to pick it up by closing time at 7 PM.

• Person A: Should I process this urgent order now?

• Person B: Yes, it needs to be ready for dispatch by closing time.

More: Mastering 'After She Left The Room': A Simple English Grammar Guide

When and How to Use "By Closing Time"

You'll hear the phrase in various real-life situations, especially when dealing with businesses, work, or services. It's often used in everyday speech and informal communication, but also in more formal instructions.

Typical Use Cases:

• Workplace Instructions: "Please submit your timesheets by closing time on Friday."
• Retail/Services: "Make sure to collect your items by closing time." This might be for a pharmacy, a library, or a repair shop.
• Deadlines: "We need to complete this task by closing time today."

Common Variations and Related Phrases: While this expression is specific to a business's closure, similar phrases include:

• "by the end of the day" (more general, could be personal end-of-day)
• "by midnight" (very specific deadline)
• "before the shop closes" (more informal and descriptive)

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Using "at" instead of "by": "At closing time" means exactly at that moment, while "by closing time" means before or at that moment. For deadlines, "by" is usually correct.
• Missing "time": Saying "by closing" is incorrect. Always include "time."
• Confusing "closing time" with "opening time": They are opposites. "Closing time" is the end of the business day.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, the preposition "by" is used to mean "not later than." This meaning is key to understanding this time expression correctly as a deadline.

More: Mastering 'During the Early Shift': A Simple Grammar Guide

Summary and Practice Tip

To sum up, "by closing time" is an important adverbial phrase of time that helps you describe a deadline – specifically, when a place of business shuts its doors. It means "not later than that moment." Understanding its meaning is crucial for natural sentence use and improving your ESL writing tips.

To truly master this phrase, try using it in your own sentences. Think about a task you need to complete today, or something you need to pick up. Then, write a sentence using "by closing time" to describe its deadline. For more English grammar help and tips on adverbial phrases of time, explore our other articles!