By then is a common phrase in English that indicates a point in time that has been referred to previously. The pronunciation of this phrase is /baɪ ðɛn/. The word "by" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, followed by the voiced dental fricative "ð," and then the word "then" is pronounced with a voiced dental fricative "ð" and the short "e" sound. This spelling of "by then" is consistent with the phonetic rules of English and is simple to understand and pronounce.
"By then" is a phrase that refers to a specific point in time that is anticipated or expected to occur in the future. It is used to denote a particular moment or situation that will have transpired or evolved in a certain manner within a specified timeframe. The term "by" implies the time or deadline by which a particular event or condition will have taken place.
The phrase is often employed to indicate a future situation that will have occurred prior to the mentioned time. It implies that a certain event, action, or circumstance will have taken place and be completed by a defined point in time when assessing a future state or plan. "By then" suggests that a particular occurrence will have happened or be accomplished before the mentioned moment arrives.
The inclusion of "then" in this phrase adds a sense of temporal reference, emphasizing the specific moment when the anticipated event or situation will have occurred. It is essential in reinforcing the idea of a specific timeframe.
For example, if a meeting is scheduled for 6 pm and someone says, "By then, I will have finished my report," it means that the individual expects to complete the report before the meeting begins at 6 pm. The phrase "by then" conveys a sense of completing the task in preparation for the designated time.
Overall, "by then" serves as a marker to signify that a particular event will have taken place or a condition will have been met before the stated moment arrives in the future.
The word "by" is derived from the Old English preposition "bi", meaning "near, in, by, during", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root *bi-. This root carries a similar meaning of "near, by".
The term "then" comes from the Old English adverb "þane" or "þonne", which meant "at that time, then" and finds its origins in the Proto-Germanic word *þanē.
When "by" and "then" are used together, "by then" refers to a specific time in the future or preceding a certain event. The term can be broken down into "by", indicating proximity or duration, and "then", indicating the particular time frame.