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Q U I C K F I X W O R K S H E E T OCTOBER 2008

Quick Fix 131

Language Function: talking about the future
Grammar Focus: BY versus UNTIL

TEACHER WORKSHEET INTERMEDIATE

We use UNTIL when we talk about a situation, state or action that will continue up to a certain moment in the future.
I will stay in this hotel until Wednesday.
We use BY when we talk about an action that will happen at or before a future moment.
I can submit the report by Wednesday.

activity. Complete the sentences with by or until.

1. Can you repair my laptop .................... Friday?

2. Can I borrow your camera .................... tomorrow?

3. I looked after Ella .................... her parents returned home.

4. Do you think you can submit the report .................... the end of this week?

5. I really need to keep these books .................... Saturday.

When Joe, a nice man
6. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave .................... 11a.m.
married for over 50 years
7. You must return the form .................... January 10. died, his wife, Myrtle was
devastated.
8. I was up .................... 3 o’clock last night.

9. Sharon decided not to share a flat with Kevin .................... they get married. A couple of months later,
Myrtle also died. Once in
10. French people eat .................... they’re full, unlike Americans, who
heaven, Myrtle anxiously
eat .................... the food is gone.
looked for Joe. Suddenly,
11. Ann wants to have a baby .................... the time she is thirty. behind a cloud, she could
12. We should eat all this food .................... tomorrow - otherwise, it will go off. clearly see him. She ran
towards him, calling his
13. Can I stay .................... the weekend? name: 'Joe. darling... '
14. All new cars will hybrids .................... 2020.
Joe said: “Hold your horses*,
15. I’m not going to sell my shares .................... they go up in value. woman, and don't 'darling'
me. The deal was very clear!
* hold your horses 'Until death do us part!’”
used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully what they want to do or say

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A N S W E R S & G U I D E L I N E S - Quick Fix 131

activity
1. Can you repair my laptop by Friday?

2. Can I borrow your camera until tomorrow?

3. I looked after Ella until her parents returned home.

4. Do you think you can submit the report by the end of this week.

5. I really need to keep these books until Saturday.

6. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave by 11a.m.

7. You must return the form by January 10.

8. I was up until 3 o’clock last night.

9. Sharon decided not to share a flat with Kevin until they get married.

10. French people eat until they’re full, unlike Americans, who eat until the food is gone.

11. Ann wants to have a baby by the time she is thirty.

12. We should eat all this food by tomorrow - otherwise, it will go off.

13. Can I stay until the weekend?

14. All new cars will hybrids by 2020.

15. I’m not going to sell my shares until they go up in value.

joke - you might want to present the whole oath of marriage pointing to the use of ‘until’.

I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold

from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

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