How long before

[tufguy]

"How long before can Korea nuke a US city?"

What does this term mean "how long before?"

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

"Before" here means "until." It's like saying:

- When will Korea be able to nuke a US city?
- How long will it take for Korea to be able to nuke a US city?
- How much time will go by before Korea can nuke a US city?

Fine points:

1. It's very informal English. There's no verb, but it is natural.

2. There are two Koreas: North Korea and South Korea. To make sense, you need to specify which.

 

[SoothingDave]

It's "how long before Korea can?" not "how long before can Korea?"

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Good save, Dave. How long (will it be) before Korea can nuke the U.S?

 

[Rover_KE]

Let's not pussyfoot about. It's only North Korea which might soon have the capability to do this.

South Korea suffers badly from its proximity to the monstrous regime of its neighbour.

 

[tufguy]

2. There are two Koreas: North Korea and South Korea. To make sense, you need to specify which.

Everybody knows its North Korea.

Can this be used in past tense as well?

 

[Rover_KE]

Everybody knows it's North Korea. No, they don't. You cannot assume that.

Can this be used in the past tense as well? Why would you think that when it hasn't happened yet, and hopefully never will?

.

 

[tufguy]

"You got it wrong. I was asking about how long before".

 

[GoesStation]

"You got it wrong. I was asking about how long before".

I don't understand what you're trying to say.

Don't use quotation marks when you are not quoting something.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Everybody knows its North Korea.

Can this be used in past tense as well?

I know it. You know it. That doesn't make "Korea" correct. The writer needs to add the word "North."

It's like the other thread someone has going about Southern America. It's not enough that we know it should be "the southern United States." It has to SAY "the southern United States."

 

[Rover_KE]

vpkannan, please read this extract from the Posting Guidelines:


You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly in your post. Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice provide the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion.

 

[tufguy]

Can we use "How long before" in past tense as well?

 

[Matthew Wai]

For example?