prepositions - "Before date" versus "by date"


Is it incorrect to say "Please do this before Tuesday"?


Is there a difference between that and "Please do this by Tuesday"?



Answer



There is a difference, yes.


If you want the job to be ready on Tuesday morning, you would say



Please do this before Tuesday



If you need it to be done either before or during Tuesday, you would say



Please do this by Tuesday



In other words, using by is inclusive, it means do this on any day up to and including the day specified. Using before is non inclusive, it means that I expect it to be done when I arrive on Tuesday morning.


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