Wood On Words
Can’t get enough words about words with Sunday’s newspaper column? Then this blog’s for you, my word-craving friend. I work the late shift, so don’t look for responses until the next day.

Posts filed under ''by' instead of 'on or before''

Wordiness

4 comments June 24th, 2008

The word “by” can save you a few keystrokes when writing about deadlines.

For example, in “construction is set to start on or before Aug. 1,” replace “on or before” with “by.” Whenever there’s a deadline, that’s the due date, but it’s understood it’s OK to go earlier.

“By” covers both situations, “before” and “on.”

Bye for now!