by this time

/baɪ ðɪs taɪm/
adverbial phraseIntermediate at this point in time
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

Related Phrases

by nowphrase
at this point in time
at this pointphrase
at the current stage

💡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
preposition
+
this
refers to the current or specified time
determiner
+
time
a point or period in time
noun
English Dictionary