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by this time
/baɪ ðɪs taɪm/
at this point in time
By this time, we should have finished the project.
At this point in time, the project should be completed.
general
at the present moment or stage in time
By this time next year, I hope to be fluent in Spanish.
I hope to be fluent in Spanish by this point next year.
The train should have arrived by this time.
The train should have arrived by now.
Often used to refer to a point in time that has already been reached or is expected to be reached soon.
Collocations
by this time tomorrowby tomorrow at this timeby this time next weekby next week at this time
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'by this time' to refer to a specific point in time that has already been reached or is expected to be reached soon.
Gold Rule
Time Reference
'By this time' is used to refer to a point in time that is either already past or expected to be reached soon.
Word Origin
Combination of the preposition 'by' and the phrase 'this time', indicating a specific point in time.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used to refer to a point in time that has already been reached or is expected to be reached soon. It can also be used to express that something should have happened by now.
Word Breakdown
by
indicates a point in time
prepositionthis
refers to the current or specified time
determinertime
a point or period in time
nounEnglish Dictionary