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 🙏

This thread demonstrates why you just shouldn't use that wording. If you need something by the start of the 12th, don't even mention the 12th - even the technically-unambiguous "before the 12th" creates the possibility that someone will see "12th" and think that's when they need to send it to you. Say "by close of business on the 11th" if you need it when you get in on the 12th.

As an aside, my workplace always suffers from a form of this problem whereby product management will say they need a feature in March, expecting to get it at the start of March and being surprised to later find us happily reporting we're ahead of schedule and will have it done by March 26th 😁

That one is on them. In March could be any time in March.

Having spent most of my life in product management, having a technology team deliver a March requirement before December is a definite win. Your product team should count their blessings 😂

B

TBH I would think B but I would check.

B

I'd think A, as I'd assume it would be ready to be looked at/used on 12th, but I can see why the majority think B. That's why I think x time on y date is a much more sensible way of phrasing it. Avoids any ambiguity if you say by midday on 11th etc.

B

Correct!

If work email - 5pm or COB on the 12th.

If my boss says I need it BY tomorrow its because he needs to present it tomorrow or do something with it himself tomorrow..
Just as if he says by 3pm its because he is given the presentation (for example) at 3pm.

If ge said by the 12th I would assume something was happening on the 12th so would go for day before or ask what time