Please help settle an argument

[TheDogSitsHere]

If you ask someone to submit a report "by 12th June" would you expect that it would be submitted

a) on the 11th June or before
b) on the 12th June or before

Thanks 🙏

B

This.

I would clarify because I read it as a) but know most people mean b)

If you say by 4pm then the moment it ticks over from 3.59 to 4.00 is the deadline.
But if someone says by 2025 I assume that they have a more specific date in 2025 as a deadline.

Usually we would say "by cop on X date" "on or before" for clarity.

b

B

B

A. By means before not on.

B

I would usually reply to that kind of request by letting them know when I plan to send it - ie I'll make sure the report is with you by the end of the day on the 12th

B

B

A - As they've said "By" 12th June. Otherwise surely it would be been up to and including 12th june.

This

b

B.

Where are you in the argument?

B

I'd read it as before the 12th, so by end of day on 11th, but I can see I'm by far in the minority!

A

B

Thanks everyone, I've had two bollockings over this - one (at 7.45am on the morning of the 12th!) for being late submitting and then another when I actually apologised for misunderstanding that they meant before the 12th.

I'm glad I'm not going mad but I am pretty annoyed!

B

B

B

Cambridge dictionary says by is “no later than”… so “by Friday” means “no later than Friday”. Therefore anytime after friday is late.

They definitely need to say “before” or specify the time “I need it by 9am on Friday” etc.

Just to be awkward….A
It’s a bit like ‘best before date’ …best before 11th June…so eat it on the 10th.

Submitting by the 12th to me would mean that a report was ready to be used / read on the 12th.

That said, most people these days leave everything to the last minute, so I would actually do one of two things. If I am to respond, I would seek clarity over the time the recipient is expecting the report. Secondly, if I am setting the task I would ask for it to be in by a specific time on a specific day.