Mastering "By This Evening": A Simple Grammar Guide for ESL Learners
Have you ever wondered how to express a deadline or a completion point in English? The adverbial phrase "by this evening" is perfect for just that! It's a common way to say something will be finished or happen no later than the end of today. This guide will help you understand its meaning, how to use it naturally, and avoid common mistakes. Improving your fluency in English often comes down to mastering these small but mighty phrases. Ready to learn English grammar effortlessly?
Table of Contents
- What Does “By This Evening” Mean?
- What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “By This Evening”?
- Example Sentences with “By This Evening”
- When and How to Use “By This Evening”
- Summary and Practice Tip
What Does “By This Evening” Mean?
The phrase "by this evening" means "no later than this evening" or "at some point before this evening ends." It sets a deadline or a specific time limit. You use it to indicate when an action or event must be completed. It helps to describe when something will happen.
More: Mastering 'Following the Ceremony': A Simple Grammar Guide
What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “By This Evening”?
"By this evening" is an adverbial phrase of time. It functions like a single adverb, modifying verbs to tell us when an action occurs or must be completed.
Its grammatical structure is:
- Preposition: "by" (indicating a deadline)
- Determiner: "this" (specifying the current evening)
- Noun: "evening" (a period of time)
This phrase often appears at the end of a sentence. However, for emphasis, it can also come at the beginning. This flexibility helps with natural sentence use.
Sample sentence patterns:
- Subject + Verb + [Adverbial Phrase]:
I will finish the report **by this evening**. - [Adverbial Phrase], Subject + Verb:
**By this evening**, I need to finish the report.
More: Mastering 'Just After Sunrise': A Simple Grammar Usage Guide
Example Sentences with “By This Evening”
Here are some natural-sounding examples to show you how to use "by this evening" in different contexts. Notice how it always sets a deadline. These sentence examples demonstrate its use clearly.
- "Can you send me the revised document by this evening?"
- "The delivery should arrive by this evening at the latest."
Dialogues:
Person A: "When do you think the repair will be done?"
Person B: "The mechanic said it should be ready by this evening."
Person A: "Is it possible to complete this task today?"
Person B: "Yes, I can definitely get it done by this evening."
More: Mastering 'At the Same Point in Time': A Simple Grammar Guide
When and How to Use “By This Evening”
You can use "by this evening" in many everyday situations, both formal and informal. It's common in emails, spoken instructions, and when discussing plans or deadlines. For example, you might use it in a work email to set a deadline: "Please submit your part of the project by this evening." Or in a casual conversation: "Let's meet up by this evening if you're free."
A common variation is simply "by tonight," which means the same thing. You might also hear "by the end of the day," which is slightly more formal but conveys a similar idea.
A common mistake is confusing "by" with "in" or "at." Remember, "by" signifies a deadline—not later than. For example, "I will arrive in the evening" means you arrive during the evening. "I will arrive by this evening" means you will arrive before or at the start of the evening, not after. This phrase specifies a completion time. Understanding these grammar rules is key. According to Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, "by" can mean "not later than."
Summary and Practice Tip
In summary, "by this evening" is an effective adverbial phrase of time. It clearly communicates a deadline: something must happen or be completed before or at the start of the evening. It's a versatile phrase that modifies verbs, helping you express when actions need to be finished. Mastering such phrases helps to improve your overall English grammar and allows for more precise communication.
To practice, try writing three sentences of your own using "by this evening." Think about what you need to finish today! For more help with specific English grammar topics and to continue learning how to use adverbial phrases naturally, explore our other articles.
