[Grammar] ...lend me some money until next week?

[jpeslab]

Hi,

While reading an English grammar book, I found a sentecne that made me somewhat confused.

"Do you think you could lend me some money until next week?"

My question is about "lend" and "until".
My first thought was "by next week" instead of "until next week".
I think that the action of lending cannot last until next week, instead, it should end at one point(by next week).
So I think "by" should be used.

(1) "Do you think you could lend me some money until next week?"
- Give me some money, and I'll keep it(use it) until next week.
(2) "Do you think you could lend me some money by next week?"
- Give me some money by next week(I'm not saying when to give it back.)
(3) "Do you think you could lend me some money by next week until next Sunday?"
- Give me some money by next week and I'll keep it(use it) until next Sunday.

Which sentences are correct and convey proper meanings?

Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

James

 

[JMurray]

not a teacher

"Do you think you could lend me some money until next week?"

It means: Do you think you can give me some money on the understanding that I will pay you back next week?
Your definition (1) is closest.

"Could you lend me some money by next week?" means: Could you give me some money by the time next week comes, on the understanding that I will pay you back later (at an as yet unspecified time)?"