Mastering "By the Weekend": A Simple Grammar Guide for English Learners

Do you ever feel confused about deadlines in English? Phrases about time can be tricky. One of the most useful adverbial phrases you'll encounter is "by the weekend." Understanding how to use it correctly is a small step that can greatly improve your fluency in English. This guide will break down its meaning, grammar, and usage with simple examples, helping you master this common phrase and use it with confidence.

Table of Contents

• What Does “By the Weekend” Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “By the Weekend”?
• Example Sentences with “By the Weekend”
• When and How to Use “By the Weekend”
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does “By the Weekend” Mean?

In simple terms, the phrase "by the weekend" means something will happen on or before a specific deadline, which is the start of the weekend (usually Friday evening or Saturday morning).

This phrase does not mean the action will happen during the weekend. It sets a limit. If your boss asks you to finish a report "by the weekend," she expects it on her desk before she leaves on Friday. This phrase functions as an adverb, which means it is one of the verb modifiers you can use to add more detail to your sentence.

More: Mastering 'Before the Sunrise' A Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “By the Weekend”?

"By the weekend" is an adverbial phrase of time. It answers the question “When?” It tells us the deadline for an action to be completed. Let's look at its simple grammar rules and sentence structure.

Its grammatical structure is straightforward:

• Preposition:by
• Article:the
• Noun:weekend

This phrase usually comes at the end of a sentence. However, you can place it at the beginning for emphasis.

Here are the two most common sentence patterns:

• Subject + Verb + Object + by the weekend.
  • Example: She will send the email by the weekend.
• By the weekend, + Subject + Verb + Object.
  • Example: By the weekend, she will send the email.

More: Mastering 'After the Show': A Simple Grammar Guide

Example Sentences with “By the Weekend”

Seeing how to use adverbial phrases in context is the best way to learn. Here are a few sentence examples to help you understand its natural use.

• I need to clean my apartment by the weekend because my parents are visiting.
• Please submit your application by the weekend to be considered for the position.

Here is how it might sound in a short conversation:

• Person A: "When do you need the presentation slides?"
• Person B: "I need them by the weekend so I can review them on Sunday."

More: Mastering 'Until the Deadline': Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

When and How to Use “By the Weekend”

This phrase is very common in both formal and informal English. You will hear it in the workplace, at school, and among friends.

• Formal: In work emails or instructions. (e.g., "All timesheets must be approved by the weekend.")
• Informal: When making plans with friends. (e.g., "Let's make a decision about the trip by the weekend.")

One of the most common mistakes ESL learners make is confusing "by" with "on" or "during." This is a critical point for clear communication.

• By the weekend: Means before the weekend starts. (Deadline)
• On the weekend / During the weekend: Means the action happens on Saturday or Sunday. (Time of action)

As the Cambridge Dictionary explains, the preposition "by" is used to mean "not later than; before or at a particular time." This is why it’s perfect for setting deadlines. For better English grammar help, always remember that 'by' indicates a limit.

Summary and Practice Tip

To summarize, "by the weekend" is a simple and powerful adverbial phrase of time. It clearly communicates a deadline: something must be done before Saturday arrives. It helps modify verbs by answering the question "When?" and is essential for making plans and managing tasks.

Now it's your turn to practice! Think of one thing you need to accomplish soon. Write a sentence in the comments below using "by the weekend." This small exercise is a great way to improve your natural sentence use.