Mastering "By This Time Tomorrow": A Simple Grammar Guide

Have you ever needed to talk about a deadline that is exactly 24 hours away? English has a perfect phrase for this. In this guide, we will explore the adverbial phrase "by this time tomorrow." Understanding how to use it correctly is a great step toward improving your fluency in English. We will look at its meaning, grammar, and real-life examples to help you use it with confidence.

Table of Contents

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

What Does "By This Time Tomorrow" Mean?

The definition is simple.

"By this time tomorrow" means at or before this exact time on the following day.

This phrase sets a clear and specific deadline. If you say something will happen by this time tomorrow, you are promising it will be completed within the next 24 hours. It’s a powerful way to modify verbs by giving a precise timeframe for an action.

More: Mastering 'During That Week': A Simple Grammar Guide

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "By This time Tomorrow"?

This phrase is an adverbial phrase of time. Its job is to answer the question "When?". It tells us when an action will be finished. Adverbial phrases of time are essential for clear sentence structure and communication.

Let's look at its grammar breakdown:

• Preposition:By (This indicates a deadline, not a duration.)
• Determiner:This
• Noun Phrase:time tomorrow

This adverbial phrase can be placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Both positions are grammatically correct.

• At the beginning:By this time tomorrow, the package will have arrived. (Using a comma is important here.)
• At the end: The package will have arrived by this time tomorrow. (No comma is needed.)

Using the phrase at the beginning of the sentence can add a little more emphasis to the deadline.

More: How to Use 'Around 3 p.m.' in English A Guide for ESL Learners

Example Sentences with "By This time Tomorrow"

Seeing the phrase in context is the best way to learn. Here are some sentence examples to help you understand its natural use.

• The construction team is confident they will have the road repaired by this time tomorrow.
• By this time tomorrow, I will have finished my final exam and can finally relax!
• She needs to submit her application soon. The deadline is strict, so it must be sent by this time tomorrow.

Here is how it might sound in a short conversation:

• Manager: "We need the updated sales report for the morning meeting. When can I expect it?"
• Employee: "I'm working on it now. You will have it in your email by this time tomorrow."

More: Mastering 'In the Following Days': Grammar & Usage Guide

When and How to Use "By This time Tomorrow"

This phrase is useful in many situations, from formal work emails to informal chats with friends. It removes any confusion about when something is due.

In a professional setting, by this time tomorrow provides clarity for deadlines and project goals. It shows commitment and sets clear expectations. In personal life, you might use it to make plans or coordinate tasks with family and friends.

A common mistake for ESL learners is confusing by and until.

• Use by for a deadline. It marks the point in time when an action will be completed.
  • Correct: I will finish my homework by this time tomorrow.
• Use until for a duration. It marks how long an action will continue.
  • Correct: I will study until 10 PM.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the preposition "by" can mean "not later than; at or before." This is the exact meaning we use in our target phrase. Remembering this difference is a great ESL writing tip to improve your precision.

Summary and Practice Tip

To summarize, the adverbial phrase "by this time tomorrow" is an excellent tool for setting a clear, 24-hour deadline. As an adverbial phrase of time, it answers "When?" and can be placed at the start or end of a sentence to modify verbs effectively.

Now it's your turn to practice! Think of one thing you plan to accomplish in the next 24 hours. Share it with us in the comments below.

Start your sentence with: "By this time tomorrow, I will have..."

This simple exercise will help you build confidence and add this useful phrase to your English vocabulary. Keep practicing to improve your fluency in English!