finish that by vs finish that before

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Finish that by' is used when specifying a deadline or time limit by which something should be completed. 'Finish that before' is used when referring to completing something prior to a specific time or event.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 737 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"finish that by"

This phrase is used when specifying a deadline or time limit by which something should be completed. It indicates the point in time by which the action should be finished.

Examples:

Please finish that by the end of the day.
I need you to finish that by tomorrow morning.
Can you finish that by Friday?
She promised to finish that by 5 p.m.
Let's finish that by the time they arrive.

Show examples from the web [+]

You can finish that statement by yourself.
You can finish that work by purging the Church of England of its dregs.
Agreed, but you have to finish that cut by Monday, even if it's bad.
You really have to finish that whole book by tomorrow?
I think we should take it back, because we can't finish that whole thing by ourself anyway.
You really have to finish that whole book by tomorrow?
I should like to finish by saying that an association agreement is an important tool.
Commissioner, I would like to finish by saying that we attach great importance to the budgetary aspect.
So, let me finish by saying that we've thought about this as a kind of engineering problem.
Allow me to finish by saying that the debate this evening has illustrated once again that the negotiations were difficult.
I would like to finish by saying that this is a complex economic, political and social problem.
I would commend the report and perhaps I can finish by saying that 'Nous sommes tous des rocardiens maintenant', we are all Rocardians now.
I just wish to finish by saying that I understand that the GUE Group has tabled an amendment to paragraph 5.
I would like to finish by saying that we can no longer tolerate the arrogant attitude the pharmaceutical industry adopted last year in relation to certain countries.
I would like to finish by stressing that we must be prepared for the long haul - regardless of other events that may unfold in 2003.
I shall finish by saying that the Council, Commission and Parliament must speak with one voice.
I will finish by saying that if we really do not want Europe to be excluded from the conquest of space, funding cannot remain public.
Let me finish by saying that the situation should be solved by changing the conditions rather than by setting quotas.
I will just finish by saying that I went for an opinion to the Article 29 Working Party of national data protection supervisors.
I would just like to finish by saying that my group will be voting in favour of the Libicki report.

Alternatives:

complete that by
end that by
accomplish that by
wrap up that by
finalize that by

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"finish that before"

This phrase is used when referring to completing something prior to a specific time or event. It indicates the action should be finished earlier than the specified time or event.

Examples:

Please finish that before you leave.
Make sure to finish that before the meeting starts.
I want you to finish that before the end of the week.
She needs to finish that before the deadline.
Let's finish that before they arrive.

Show examples from the web [+]

Listen, be a dear and finish that before we get back.

Alternatives:

complete that before
end that before
accomplish that before
wrap up that before
finalize that before

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finish that by vs finish that before

"finish that by"

"finish that before"

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