By Now

[beachboy]

"IF WE HADN´T LOST THOSE DAYS, THE WORK WOULD HAVE BEEN FINISHED BY NOW". I don´t understand the use of "by" in this sentence. I´d simply say " if we hadn´t lose those days the would WOULD BE finished NOW". Does it make sense?

 

[apex2000]

"IF WE HADN´T LOST THOSE DAYS, THE WORK WOULD HAVE BEEN FINISHED BY NOW". I don´t understand the use of "by" in this sentence. I´d simply say " if we hadn´t lose those days the would WOULD BE finished NOW". Does it make sense?

Please do not post in full capitals. If you want to highlight something use bold, italic, underline or a colour. It also looks better.

If we had not lost those days, the work would have been finished (by) now.
Both are used and are correct. However there is a slight difference. By now indicates that it would have been finished before this time and could have been finished this morning or yesterday or simply three hours ago. Without the 'by' it indicates at this time, on this day - it is more exact.