The report is due by next Friday.

The report is due until next Friday.

Do you know which sentence is correct?

By and until

The correct sentence is The report is due by next Friday. This post will look at the differences between by and until.

By

We can use by to talk about a deadline. It means no later than a certain time. It is placed before a time word or phrase. Below are some examples:

• I need to get to work by 9 a.m. at the latest.
• Where are they? They should be here by now.
• Please let me know by Wednesday afternoon whether you are coming to the company party.
• The milk should be used by 23 August.

Until

We can use until to talk about what happens up to a point in time, or how long a situation continues. It is also placed before a time word or phrase.

• I slept until 10:00 this morning.
• I usually wait until the last minute to do my homework.
• We have from now until next Friday to finish the project.
• I’ll be working until 7 p.m. today.