每个介系词(preposition)都有许多种不同的用法，因此何时该用哪个介系词、分别代表何种意思，总是让人觉得如此纠结难解！

英文老师提出了“by」、「until”、“by the time”的不同用法，并用大量的实用例句与练习，训练文法和语感，让你之后在写作文时不怕用错介系词啦！

1. Until / till (prep.) 直到……

Situation or event will continue up to a certain time. 会持续到某个特定时间的情况或事件。

e.g. I worked until 7 p.m. 我工作到晚上七点。

e.g. I can use my parents car until 5 p.m. 我可以使用我父母的车到下午五点。

e.g. We had to stay in the exam room until the end of the exam. 我们在考试结束之前都必须待在考试的教室裡。

2. By (prep.) 在……的时候、在……之前

Something will happen before or at a certain time. 某件事会在某个时刻(之前)发生。

e.g. I need to return my movie by January 12th. 我必须在一月十二日之前归还电影的录影带。

e.g. I will finish my homework by 4 p.m. 我下午四点时会完成作业。

e.g. I will quit smoking by the summer. 我这个夏天会戒掉吸烟的。

3. By the time 到……的时候

We use this before a verb. 通常在动词之前使用这个片语。

e.g. The subway was closed by the time I left work. 当我终于下班时，地下铁已经关闭了。

e.g. The thief was gone by the time I called the police. 当我打给警察时，小偷已经跑了。

4. 练习

(1) I will stay at the party _______ midnight.

(2) I studied _______ 7 p.m.

(3) I will finish my essay _______ February.

(4) I will be at the restaurant ______ 8 p.m.

5. 解答

(1) Until

(2) Until

(3) By

(4) By/until