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Does “Until when” sound natural for native speakers?


'How delayed is the flight?' - Is it the right expression?Using the verb suggest as the word adviseGas as a liquid and as a gaseous formWhat's the name for words people say when they don't know what to say and need a moment to think?When someone's behavor is admirable or… in your viewWhat would a TV host say to his guest when the time for the show is about to end?How common the usage of “fortnight” instead of “two weeks ago”?Does word “segregate” sound natural?Does “resume from standby” phrase sound natural?What dirtied your clothes?













13















In some languages such as my native languages (Kurdish and Persian), when we want to ask about the exact limit point of time for something, we use two words which are exactly equal to this two words in English: Until When?



For example, we say:
Until when do I have time to finish this project?



I would like to know how much this way of asking is natural in different English speaking countries? Or if it sounds pretty weird to you, please tell me how you say the above sentence in English.










share|improve this question




























    13















    In some languages such as my native languages (Kurdish and Persian), when we want to ask about the exact limit point of time for something, we use two words which are exactly equal to this two words in English: Until When?



    For example, we say:
    Until when do I have time to finish this project?



    I would like to know how much this way of asking is natural in different English speaking countries? Or if it sounds pretty weird to you, please tell me how you say the above sentence in English.










    share|improve this question


























      13












      13








      13


      3






      In some languages such as my native languages (Kurdish and Persian), when we want to ask about the exact limit point of time for something, we use two words which are exactly equal to this two words in English: Until When?



      For example, we say:
      Until when do I have time to finish this project?



      I would like to know how much this way of asking is natural in different English speaking countries? Or if it sounds pretty weird to you, please tell me how you say the above sentence in English.










      share|improve this question
















      In some languages such as my native languages (Kurdish and Persian), when we want to ask about the exact limit point of time for something, we use two words which are exactly equal to this two words in English: Until When?



      For example, we say:
      Until when do I have time to finish this project?



      I would like to know how much this way of asking is natural in different English speaking countries? Or if it sounds pretty weird to you, please tell me how you say the above sentence in English.







      word-usage word-request






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 2 days ago









      J.R.

      99.8k8129247




      99.8k8129247










      asked 2 days ago









      Yazdan Samiei PoorYazdan Samiei Poor

      36329




      36329




















          8 Answers
          8






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          25














          I think the “until when” construct can work fine in a question like this, although I think I’d be inclined to change the order of the words:




          I have until when to finish this project?




          Also, it’s worth noting that we will often put additional emphasis on the word when in such questions, particularly when expressing surprise. For example:




          Ted: I’ll need this project done by Friday.

          Ned: I have until when to finish this project?




          In this dialogue, Ned isn’t really asking Ted for a deadline; he is expressing incredulity that the deadline is coming so soon. In other words, Ned knows the project needs to be done by Friday, but he is astonished that he has so little time to accomplish so much work.



          Of course, there are many other ways people can ask about an upcoming deadline. I especially like the suggestions provided by Bob Jarvis and Ronnie Childs elsewhere in answers and comments under this question:





          • When is the deadline for this project?

          • How long do I have to finish this project?






          share|improve this answer




















          • 2





            Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

            – ColleenV
            2 days ago






          • 5





            I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

            – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
            yesterday



















          16














          There are certainly sentences where it would sound entirely appropriate.




          Boss: Keep working on this.

          Employee: Until when?



          Parent: You are grounded!

          Child: Until when?




          Both usages are complete sentences. Used as part of a sentence sounds a bit more strained and unnatural.






          share|improve this answer




















          • 2





            The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

            – Monty Harder
            yesterday


















          11














          Until when is occasionally used but not nearly as often as just when or by when.



          So most common are:




          When do I have to finish this project

          and

          By when do I have to finish this project.




          But these two constructions don't necessarily mean the same thing.



          The first is ambiguous; it can be understood either as at what time/on what day do I have to finish it - or by when do I have to finish it.



          The second means by when must it be completed - by what time, day or other period.



          People also ask:




          What is the deadline for completion




          So my recommendation is that you stick to: By when does it have to be completed.



          Here is a related Ngram, comparing the use of by when and until when.






          share|improve this answer

























          • I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

            – Kentaro Tomono
            2 days ago






          • 1





            Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

            – Ronald Sole
            2 days ago



















          5














          Until when is not a particularly common construct in this situation. You would be more likely to hear How long, as in:




          How long do I have to finish this assignment?







          share|improve this answer























          • This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

            – Katinka Hesselink
            yesterday


















          4














          Not a native, but I think natives would most commonly use




          How much time do I have to finish this project?




          However, I believe




          Until when do I have to finish this project?




          Might be grammatically sound. Now I am not entirely sure whether a native would use that or not






          share|improve this answer










          New contributor




          eefar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.















          • 1





            As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

            – J.R.
            2 days ago











          • As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

            – eefar
            2 days ago






          • 8





            @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

            – alephzero
            2 days ago












          • @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

            – Anthony Grist
            yesterday


















          4














          (Note: This is from a Northeastern U.S. native speaker's perspective.)



          "Until when ..." is okay-ish, if a bit stilted. But "Until when do I have time ..." is just too clunky to be considered good colloquial English. See J.R.'s response for good ways to use "until when".



          But this answer is to highlight what a previous comment pointed out: that the most natural way to say this would use the word "due":




          When is the/this/our project due?




          This is exactly how my students would ask me, multiple times throughout the semester.






          share|improve this answer










          New contributor




          JonathanZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.



























            2















            Until when do I have time to finish this project?




            I think there are two problems here:



            • We don't need the word 'time' if we are using a preposition that relates the concept of time.


            • Until is a general word for something that is going to be happening, or true, for a certain time, and then stop being true (focusing on the period before the stop time). However, to focus on the deadline itself, we tend to use by (see Common Mistakes in Business English: The difference between “by” and “until”).

            So we could say




            By when do I have to finish this project?




            ...and if we aren't squeamish about finishing a sentence with a preposition, a UK speaker speaking informally might be likely to say:




            When do I have to finish this project by?




            To answer your title question though, "Until when" is perfectly natural for other cases:




            "I'm working in the library."
            "Until when?"

            " 'Til lunchtime. I have to hand in this project by this afternoon"







            share|improve this answer
































              1














              I would say "When do I have to have finished the project by?" or "When should I have finished the project by?"



              Native English speaker here






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Woodman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.




















              • Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                – David Richerby
                yesterday











              Your Answer








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              8 Answers
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              active

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              8 Answers
              8






              active

              oldest

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              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              25














              I think the “until when” construct can work fine in a question like this, although I think I’d be inclined to change the order of the words:




              I have until when to finish this project?




              Also, it’s worth noting that we will often put additional emphasis on the word when in such questions, particularly when expressing surprise. For example:




              Ted: I’ll need this project done by Friday.

              Ned: I have until when to finish this project?




              In this dialogue, Ned isn’t really asking Ted for a deadline; he is expressing incredulity that the deadline is coming so soon. In other words, Ned knows the project needs to be done by Friday, but he is astonished that he has so little time to accomplish so much work.



              Of course, there are many other ways people can ask about an upcoming deadline. I especially like the suggestions provided by Bob Jarvis and Ronnie Childs elsewhere in answers and comments under this question:





              • When is the deadline for this project?

              • How long do I have to finish this project?






              share|improve this answer




















              • 2





                Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

                – ColleenV
                2 days ago






              • 5





                I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

                – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
                yesterday
















              25














              I think the “until when” construct can work fine in a question like this, although I think I’d be inclined to change the order of the words:




              I have until when to finish this project?




              Also, it’s worth noting that we will often put additional emphasis on the word when in such questions, particularly when expressing surprise. For example:




              Ted: I’ll need this project done by Friday.

              Ned: I have until when to finish this project?




              In this dialogue, Ned isn’t really asking Ted for a deadline; he is expressing incredulity that the deadline is coming so soon. In other words, Ned knows the project needs to be done by Friday, but he is astonished that he has so little time to accomplish so much work.



              Of course, there are many other ways people can ask about an upcoming deadline. I especially like the suggestions provided by Bob Jarvis and Ronnie Childs elsewhere in answers and comments under this question:





              • When is the deadline for this project?

              • How long do I have to finish this project?






              share|improve this answer




















              • 2





                Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

                – ColleenV
                2 days ago






              • 5





                I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

                – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
                yesterday














              25












              25








              25







              I think the “until when” construct can work fine in a question like this, although I think I’d be inclined to change the order of the words:




              I have until when to finish this project?




              Also, it’s worth noting that we will often put additional emphasis on the word when in such questions, particularly when expressing surprise. For example:




              Ted: I’ll need this project done by Friday.

              Ned: I have until when to finish this project?




              In this dialogue, Ned isn’t really asking Ted for a deadline; he is expressing incredulity that the deadline is coming so soon. In other words, Ned knows the project needs to be done by Friday, but he is astonished that he has so little time to accomplish so much work.



              Of course, there are many other ways people can ask about an upcoming deadline. I especially like the suggestions provided by Bob Jarvis and Ronnie Childs elsewhere in answers and comments under this question:





              • When is the deadline for this project?

              • How long do I have to finish this project?






              share|improve this answer















              I think the “until when” construct can work fine in a question like this, although I think I’d be inclined to change the order of the words:




              I have until when to finish this project?




              Also, it’s worth noting that we will often put additional emphasis on the word when in such questions, particularly when expressing surprise. For example:




              Ted: I’ll need this project done by Friday.

              Ned: I have until when to finish this project?




              In this dialogue, Ned isn’t really asking Ted for a deadline; he is expressing incredulity that the deadline is coming so soon. In other words, Ned knows the project needs to be done by Friday, but he is astonished that he has so little time to accomplish so much work.



              Of course, there are many other ways people can ask about an upcoming deadline. I especially like the suggestions provided by Bob Jarvis and Ronnie Childs elsewhere in answers and comments under this question:





              • When is the deadline for this project?

              • How long do I have to finish this project?







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited yesterday

























              answered 2 days ago









              J.R.J.R.

              99.8k8129247




              99.8k8129247







              • 2





                Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

                – ColleenV
                2 days ago






              • 5





                I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

                – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
                yesterday













              • 2





                Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

                – ColleenV
                2 days ago






              • 5





                I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

                – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
                yesterday








              2




              2





              Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

              – ColleenV
              2 days ago





              Another way of asking the question would be "How long do I have to finish the project?" and I would expect a time period, like "2 weeks". If I ask "I have until when..." I would expect a date or day, like "March 26th"

              – ColleenV
              2 days ago




              5




              5





              I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

              – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
              yesterday






              I think "When is this due?" is being overlooked as a concise alternative.

              – G. Ann - SonarSource Team
              yesterday














              16














              There are certainly sentences where it would sound entirely appropriate.




              Boss: Keep working on this.

              Employee: Until when?



              Parent: You are grounded!

              Child: Until when?




              Both usages are complete sentences. Used as part of a sentence sounds a bit more strained and unnatural.






              share|improve this answer




















              • 2





                The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

                – Monty Harder
                yesterday















              16














              There are certainly sentences where it would sound entirely appropriate.




              Boss: Keep working on this.

              Employee: Until when?



              Parent: You are grounded!

              Child: Until when?




              Both usages are complete sentences. Used as part of a sentence sounds a bit more strained and unnatural.






              share|improve this answer




















              • 2





                The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

                – Monty Harder
                yesterday













              16












              16








              16







              There are certainly sentences where it would sound entirely appropriate.




              Boss: Keep working on this.

              Employee: Until when?



              Parent: You are grounded!

              Child: Until when?




              Both usages are complete sentences. Used as part of a sentence sounds a bit more strained and unnatural.






              share|improve this answer















              There are certainly sentences where it would sound entirely appropriate.




              Boss: Keep working on this.

              Employee: Until when?



              Parent: You are grounded!

              Child: Until when?




              Both usages are complete sentences. Used as part of a sentence sounds a bit more strained and unnatural.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 2 days ago

























              answered 2 days ago









              jmorenojmoreno

              58126




              58126







              • 2





                The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

                – Monty Harder
                yesterday












              • 2





                The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

                – Monty Harder
                yesterday







              2




              2





              The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

              – Monty Harder
              yesterday





              The words "until when" do not gramatically constitute a complete sentence, because a sentence must have a verb. In casual conversation, however, such questions imply the previous statement to become complete: "Until when (am I grounded)"

              – Monty Harder
              yesterday











              11














              Until when is occasionally used but not nearly as often as just when or by when.



              So most common are:




              When do I have to finish this project

              and

              By when do I have to finish this project.




              But these two constructions don't necessarily mean the same thing.



              The first is ambiguous; it can be understood either as at what time/on what day do I have to finish it - or by when do I have to finish it.



              The second means by when must it be completed - by what time, day or other period.



              People also ask:




              What is the deadline for completion




              So my recommendation is that you stick to: By when does it have to be completed.



              Here is a related Ngram, comparing the use of by when and until when.






              share|improve this answer

























              • I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

                – Kentaro Tomono
                2 days ago






              • 1





                Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

                – Ronald Sole
                2 days ago
















              11














              Until when is occasionally used but not nearly as often as just when or by when.



              So most common are:




              When do I have to finish this project

              and

              By when do I have to finish this project.




              But these two constructions don't necessarily mean the same thing.



              The first is ambiguous; it can be understood either as at what time/on what day do I have to finish it - or by when do I have to finish it.



              The second means by when must it be completed - by what time, day or other period.



              People also ask:




              What is the deadline for completion




              So my recommendation is that you stick to: By when does it have to be completed.



              Here is a related Ngram, comparing the use of by when and until when.






              share|improve this answer

























              • I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

                – Kentaro Tomono
                2 days ago






              • 1





                Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

                – Ronald Sole
                2 days ago














              11












              11








              11







              Until when is occasionally used but not nearly as often as just when or by when.



              So most common are:




              When do I have to finish this project

              and

              By when do I have to finish this project.




              But these two constructions don't necessarily mean the same thing.



              The first is ambiguous; it can be understood either as at what time/on what day do I have to finish it - or by when do I have to finish it.



              The second means by when must it be completed - by what time, day or other period.



              People also ask:




              What is the deadline for completion




              So my recommendation is that you stick to: By when does it have to be completed.



              Here is a related Ngram, comparing the use of by when and until when.






              share|improve this answer















              Until when is occasionally used but not nearly as often as just when or by when.



              So most common are:




              When do I have to finish this project

              and

              By when do I have to finish this project.




              But these two constructions don't necessarily mean the same thing.



              The first is ambiguous; it can be understood either as at what time/on what day do I have to finish it - or by when do I have to finish it.



              The second means by when must it be completed - by what time, day or other period.



              People also ask:




              What is the deadline for completion




              So my recommendation is that you stick to: By when does it have to be completed.



              Here is a related Ngram, comparing the use of by when and until when.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited yesterday









              J.R.

              99.8k8129247




              99.8k8129247










              answered 2 days ago









              Ronald SoleRonald Sole

              11.5k11124




              11.5k11124












              • I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

                – Kentaro Tomono
                2 days ago






              • 1





                Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

                – Ronald Sole
                2 days ago


















              • I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

                – Kentaro Tomono
                2 days ago






              • 1





                Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

                – Ronald Sole
                2 days ago

















              I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

              – Kentaro Tomono
              2 days ago





              I would like just out of pure personal curiosity, would you completely "discard" to use the "Until when"? Even though it is grammatically correct?

              – Kentaro Tomono
              2 days ago




              1




              1





              Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

              – Ronald Sole
              2 days ago






              Not at all. Depending on the context, I might well use it, as J.R. illustrates.

              – Ronald Sole
              2 days ago












              5














              Until when is not a particularly common construct in this situation. You would be more likely to hear How long, as in:




              How long do I have to finish this assignment?







              share|improve this answer























              • This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

                – Katinka Hesselink
                yesterday















              5














              Until when is not a particularly common construct in this situation. You would be more likely to hear How long, as in:




              How long do I have to finish this assignment?







              share|improve this answer























              • This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

                – Katinka Hesselink
                yesterday













              5












              5








              5







              Until when is not a particularly common construct in this situation. You would be more likely to hear How long, as in:




              How long do I have to finish this assignment?







              share|improve this answer













              Until when is not a particularly common construct in this situation. You would be more likely to hear How long, as in:




              How long do I have to finish this assignment?








              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 2 days ago









              Bob JarvisBob Jarvis

              28139




              28139












              • This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

                – Katinka Hesselink
                yesterday

















              • This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

                – Katinka Hesselink
                yesterday
















              This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

              – Katinka Hesselink
              yesterday





              This is the only answer that explicitly answers the 'does it sound natural' part of the question. The answer to that is (as this answer correctly states), in the context of the question: 'no, it does not sound natural'. It only sounds natural if you put a different spin on the original question.

              – Katinka Hesselink
              yesterday











              4














              Not a native, but I think natives would most commonly use




              How much time do I have to finish this project?




              However, I believe




              Until when do I have to finish this project?




              Might be grammatically sound. Now I am not entirely sure whether a native would use that or not






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              eefar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.















              • 1





                As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

                – J.R.
                2 days ago











              • As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

                – eefar
                2 days ago






              • 8





                @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

                – alephzero
                2 days ago












              • @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

                – David Richerby
                2 days ago











              • @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

                – Anthony Grist
                yesterday















              4














              Not a native, but I think natives would most commonly use




              How much time do I have to finish this project?




              However, I believe




              Until when do I have to finish this project?




              Might be grammatically sound. Now I am not entirely sure whether a native would use that or not






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              eefar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.















              • 1





                As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

                – J.R.
                2 days ago











              • As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

                – eefar
                2 days ago






              • 8





                @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

                – alephzero
                2 days ago












              • @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

                – David Richerby
                2 days ago











              • @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

                – Anthony Grist
                yesterday













              4












              4








              4







              Not a native, but I think natives would most commonly use




              How much time do I have to finish this project?




              However, I believe




              Until when do I have to finish this project?




              Might be grammatically sound. Now I am not entirely sure whether a native would use that or not






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              eefar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.










              Not a native, but I think natives would most commonly use




              How much time do I have to finish this project?




              However, I believe




              Until when do I have to finish this project?




              Might be grammatically sound. Now I am not entirely sure whether a native would use that or not







              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              eefar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 2 days ago





















              New contributor




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              answered 2 days ago









              eefareefar

              3367




              3367




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              New contributor





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              • 1





                As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

                – J.R.
                2 days ago











              • As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

                – eefar
                2 days ago






              • 8





                @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

                – alephzero
                2 days ago












              • @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

                – David Richerby
                2 days ago











              • @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

                – Anthony Grist
                yesterday












              • 1





                As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

                – J.R.
                2 days ago











              • As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

                – eefar
                2 days ago






              • 8





                @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

                – alephzero
                2 days ago












              • @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

                – David Richerby
                2 days ago











              • @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

                – Anthony Grist
                yesterday







              1




              1





              As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

              – J.R.
              2 days ago





              As a footnote, this native speaker would have no problem using that.

              – J.R.
              2 days ago













              As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

              – eefar
              2 days ago





              As a native without any restriction of using "until when", what would you instinctively say??

              – eefar
              2 days ago




              8




              8





              @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

              – alephzero
              2 days ago






              @eefar As a native British English speaker, I would never say "until when" unless I was deliberately using an unusual choice of words or grammar for some reason. "Until when do I have do finish" is confusing. "Until Thursday" (for example) means "the interval of time start now and ending on Thursday." You don't finish a project during an interval of time, you finish it at a moment in time. A better sentence would be just "When do I have to finish this project?" or "By when..." (or less formally, "When do I have to finish this project by?")not "Until when..."

              – alephzero
              2 days ago














              @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

              – David Richerby
              2 days ago





              @alephzero Fully agree. "Until when do I have to stand here?" makes perfect sense, as it's asking about a duration; "Until when do I have to finish this project" doesn't, because the response "You have to finish it until Thursday" doesn't make sense.

              – David Richerby
              2 days ago













              @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

              – Anthony Grist
              yesterday





              @DavidRicherby "You have until Thursday to finish it." makes perfect sense, and is the answer I'd expect if somebody asked "Until when do I have to finish this?" Unlike your "stand here" example, that doesn't mean you have to spend every moment between now and Thursday "finishing" it; it just means that at some point between now and Thursday, it has to be finished. The "Until when..." wording wouldn't be my first choice, but it doesn't seem particularly problematic to me.

              – Anthony Grist
              yesterday











              4














              (Note: This is from a Northeastern U.S. native speaker's perspective.)



              "Until when ..." is okay-ish, if a bit stilted. But "Until when do I have time ..." is just too clunky to be considered good colloquial English. See J.R.'s response for good ways to use "until when".



              But this answer is to highlight what a previous comment pointed out: that the most natural way to say this would use the word "due":




              When is the/this/our project due?




              This is exactly how my students would ask me, multiple times throughout the semester.






              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              JonathanZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                4














                (Note: This is from a Northeastern U.S. native speaker's perspective.)



                "Until when ..." is okay-ish, if a bit stilted. But "Until when do I have time ..." is just too clunky to be considered good colloquial English. See J.R.'s response for good ways to use "until when".



                But this answer is to highlight what a previous comment pointed out: that the most natural way to say this would use the word "due":




                When is the/this/our project due?




                This is exactly how my students would ask me, multiple times throughout the semester.






                share|improve this answer










                New contributor




                JonathanZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                  4












                  4








                  4







                  (Note: This is from a Northeastern U.S. native speaker's perspective.)



                  "Until when ..." is okay-ish, if a bit stilted. But "Until when do I have time ..." is just too clunky to be considered good colloquial English. See J.R.'s response for good ways to use "until when".



                  But this answer is to highlight what a previous comment pointed out: that the most natural way to say this would use the word "due":




                  When is the/this/our project due?




                  This is exactly how my students would ask me, multiple times throughout the semester.






                  share|improve this answer










                  New contributor




                  JonathanZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.










                  (Note: This is from a Northeastern U.S. native speaker's perspective.)



                  "Until when ..." is okay-ish, if a bit stilted. But "Until when do I have time ..." is just too clunky to be considered good colloquial English. See J.R.'s response for good ways to use "until when".



                  But this answer is to highlight what a previous comment pointed out: that the most natural way to say this would use the word "due":




                  When is the/this/our project due?




                  This is exactly how my students would ask me, multiple times throughout the semester.







                  share|improve this answer










                  New contributor




                  JonathanZ is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 20 hours ago









                  J.R.

                  99.8k8129247




                  99.8k8129247






                  New contributor




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                  answered yesterday









                  JonathanZJonathanZ

                  1412




                  1412




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                      2















                      Until when do I have time to finish this project?




                      I think there are two problems here:



                      • We don't need the word 'time' if we are using a preposition that relates the concept of time.


                      • Until is a general word for something that is going to be happening, or true, for a certain time, and then stop being true (focusing on the period before the stop time). However, to focus on the deadline itself, we tend to use by (see Common Mistakes in Business English: The difference between “by” and “until”).

                      So we could say




                      By when do I have to finish this project?




                      ...and if we aren't squeamish about finishing a sentence with a preposition, a UK speaker speaking informally might be likely to say:




                      When do I have to finish this project by?




                      To answer your title question though, "Until when" is perfectly natural for other cases:




                      "I'm working in the library."
                      "Until when?"

                      " 'Til lunchtime. I have to hand in this project by this afternoon"







                      share|improve this answer





























                        2















                        Until when do I have time to finish this project?




                        I think there are two problems here:



                        • We don't need the word 'time' if we are using a preposition that relates the concept of time.


                        • Until is a general word for something that is going to be happening, or true, for a certain time, and then stop being true (focusing on the period before the stop time). However, to focus on the deadline itself, we tend to use by (see Common Mistakes in Business English: The difference between “by” and “until”).

                        So we could say




                        By when do I have to finish this project?




                        ...and if we aren't squeamish about finishing a sentence with a preposition, a UK speaker speaking informally might be likely to say:




                        When do I have to finish this project by?




                        To answer your title question though, "Until when" is perfectly natural for other cases:




                        "I'm working in the library."
                        "Until when?"

                        " 'Til lunchtime. I have to hand in this project by this afternoon"







                        share|improve this answer



























                          2












                          2








                          2








                          Until when do I have time to finish this project?




                          I think there are two problems here:



                          • We don't need the word 'time' if we are using a preposition that relates the concept of time.


                          • Until is a general word for something that is going to be happening, or true, for a certain time, and then stop being true (focusing on the period before the stop time). However, to focus on the deadline itself, we tend to use by (see Common Mistakes in Business English: The difference between “by” and “until”).

                          So we could say




                          By when do I have to finish this project?




                          ...and if we aren't squeamish about finishing a sentence with a preposition, a UK speaker speaking informally might be likely to say:




                          When do I have to finish this project by?




                          To answer your title question though, "Until when" is perfectly natural for other cases:




                          "I'm working in the library."
                          "Until when?"

                          " 'Til lunchtime. I have to hand in this project by this afternoon"







                          share|improve this answer
















                          Until when do I have time to finish this project?




                          I think there are two problems here:



                          • We don't need the word 'time' if we are using a preposition that relates the concept of time.


                          • Until is a general word for something that is going to be happening, or true, for a certain time, and then stop being true (focusing on the period before the stop time). However, to focus on the deadline itself, we tend to use by (see Common Mistakes in Business English: The difference between “by” and “until”).

                          So we could say




                          By when do I have to finish this project?




                          ...and if we aren't squeamish about finishing a sentence with a preposition, a UK speaker speaking informally might be likely to say:




                          When do I have to finish this project by?




                          To answer your title question though, "Until when" is perfectly natural for other cases:




                          "I'm working in the library."
                          "Until when?"

                          " 'Til lunchtime. I have to hand in this project by this afternoon"








                          share|improve this answer














                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer








                          edited yesterday









                          Toby Speight

                          1,104514




                          1,104514










                          answered 2 days ago









                          topo mortotopo morto

                          32017




                          32017





















                              1














                              I would say "When do I have to have finished the project by?" or "When should I have finished the project by?"



                              Native English speaker here






                              share|improve this answer








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                              • Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                                – David Richerby
                                yesterday
















                              1














                              I would say "When do I have to have finished the project by?" or "When should I have finished the project by?"



                              Native English speaker here






                              share|improve this answer








                              New contributor




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                              • Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                                – David Richerby
                                yesterday














                              1












                              1








                              1







                              I would say "When do I have to have finished the project by?" or "When should I have finished the project by?"



                              Native English speaker here






                              share|improve this answer








                              New contributor




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                              I would say "When do I have to have finished the project by?" or "When should I have finished the project by?"



                              Native English speaker here







                              share|improve this answer








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                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer






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                              answered 2 days ago









                              WoodmanWoodman

                              1112




                              1112




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                              • Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                                – David Richerby
                                yesterday


















                              • Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                                – David Richerby
                                yesterday

















                              Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                              – David Richerby
                              yesterday






                              Why would you say that? What's wrong with the phrasing in the question? On Stack Exchange, we're looking for answers that explain, not just statements of fact. As a native speaker, I think your suggestions are perfectly reasonable, but you should justify them.

                              – David Richerby
                              yesterday


















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