[Grammar] Until next time

[kadioguy]

At the end of a show, we will sometimes hear the host say "until next time".

Can I take it to mean "until (the) next time (we meet) (again)" or "until (we meet) (again) next time"?

PS - I used (again) in italic to mean that it is optional.

 

[GoesStation]

How do you understand the phrase?

 

[kadioguy]

How do you understand the phrase?

To me, "until (the) next time (we meet) (again)" and "until (we meet) (again) next time" are both OK.

I see the phrase as something like "See you again".

 

[Tdol]

Can't you take the original phrase?

 

[Tarheel]

It's a friendly farewell. It's like saying "See you later!"

(An American TV show used to end with "Happy trails to you until we meet again.")

 

[GoesStation]

 

[kadioguy]

Can't you take the original phrase?

I can. But I would also like to understand it in a full phrase way.

a. until (the) next time (we meet) (again)

b. until (we meet) (again) next time

Do the both work to understand the original?

 

[jutfrank]

I don't fully understand your question. What do you consider to be the difference between a. and b.?

 

[kadioguy]

I don't fully understand your question. What do you consider to be the difference between a. and b.?

They practically mean the same to me in this context. They are just variants to help me understand the original phrase. So am I on the right way?

 

[jutfrank]

I don't know, because I don't understand what you understand the difference between a. and b. to be. If you thought there was no difference, you wouldn't be asking the question. It's no good trying to expand the phrase, in my opinion. I urge you to focus on the use and meaning only.

The phrase until next time is simply a way for the presenter to sign off. It includes the idea that there will be a future episode of the show.

This is really very simple.

 

[emsr2d2]

If I had to expand "Until next time" (I've never had to do so), I'd go with something like "This is goodbye - not forever, just until the next time we meet".

 

[Tdol]

And your listener would think you were being a bit weird. ;-)