Nicky_K
Junior Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- Russian
- Home Country
- Germany
- Current Location
- Germany
Hello,
I know that 'by tomorrow' means, depending on context, either 'any time before tomorrow' or 'any time today or tomorrow'. But I've heard many times phrases, where 'by tomorrow' means exactly 'tomorrow' and not 'today'.
For example this dialogue, which you can hear on 'Two And A Half Men':
Mia: - Frankly, I'd love to have a boy in the class. It's hard to get males that age excited about ballet.
Charlie: - Really? 'Cause Jake is just "ballet" this and "ballet" that.
Mia: - Yeah, I'm sure. Tell you what. Why don't you bring him by tomorrow?
Charlie:- Great. Maybe afterward, you and I...
Mia:- Charlie, listen carefully. You and I? Never gonna happen.
Charlie: - Understood. See you tomorrow.
In this context 'by tomorrow' means precisely 'tomorrow'. Because this conversation happened after (or during) today's ballet lesson and the next lesson will start tomorrow at a certain time. It makes no sense to bring Jake today.
Why did Mia say 'by tomorrow' and not just 'tomorrow'?
Thank you
I know that 'by tomorrow' means, depending on context, either 'any time before tomorrow' or 'any time today or tomorrow'. But I've heard many times phrases, where 'by tomorrow' means exactly 'tomorrow' and not 'today'.
For example this dialogue, which you can hear on 'Two And A Half Men':
Mia: - Frankly, I'd love to have a boy in the class. It's hard to get males that age excited about ballet.
Charlie: - Really? 'Cause Jake is just "ballet" this and "ballet" that.
Mia: - Yeah, I'm sure. Tell you what. Why don't you bring him by tomorrow?
Charlie:- Great. Maybe afterward, you and I...
Mia:- Charlie, listen carefully. You and I? Never gonna happen.
Charlie: - Understood. See you tomorrow.
In this context 'by tomorrow' means precisely 'tomorrow'. Because this conversation happened after (or during) today's ballet lesson and the next lesson will start tomorrow at a certain time. It makes no sense to bring Jake today.
Why did Mia say 'by tomorrow' and not just 'tomorrow'?
Thank you