meaning

[daisy1352]

After a few months the pencil case tore too. By then I could sew, and I made the .... What is the meaning of "by then"
But after a couple of years... What is the meaning of "a couple" here?
I thought about it for a while? What is the meaning of "a while"?

[montblanc]

hi,

a couple of means a small number of people or things (syn a few)

a while during the time that sth is happening (the lengh of time)

[Anglika]

After a few months the pencil case tore too. By then I could sew, and I made the .... What is the meaning of "by then"


"When I first had the pencil case, I could not sew, but a few months later I had learned how, so by then I could mend it." > by that time

[**C@RL$$**]

Originally Posted by Anglika

After a few months the pencil case tore too. By then I could sew, and I made the .... What is the meaning of "by then"


"When I first had the pencil case, I could not sew, but a few months later I had learned how, so by then I could mend it." > by that time

By then mean
by that time, by the time that