[Grammar] Guests must vacate their rooms by 10:00

[Ferdie11]

Hi,
Let me tell you first about what I know of the meaning of the sentence below: The guests have to leave their rooms before or at excatly 10:00. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Guests must vacate their rooms by 10:00

Many thanks.

 

[JMurray]

Guests must vacate their rooms by 10:00

Ferdie:
This means that the guests can vacate the room before 10.00 if they want to, but they must not be in the room after 10.00.

not a teacher

 

[Rover_KE]

Hi,
Let me tell you first about what I know of the meaning of the sentence below: The guests have to leave their rooms before or at exactly 10:00. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Guests must vacate their rooms by 10:00.

Many thanks.

You're right, Ferdie.

Rover