through / until

N

Nsonia

Member
Tunis
tunisia (arabic, french, english, spanish, basic italian)
Hello All,
I would like to know what difference exists in the use of " through" and "until". :confused:
example: "he will remain president through 2006".
Might one say "until" instead of "through"? and does it give a different meaning, whatsoever? which one is of more common use and in which field?

gracias por todo
Nsonia
 
    • The difference is very slight, in most contexts, but here it is:

    When we say "he will remain president through 2006", we mean that he will be president throughout all the year 2006, from beginning to end. It also allows the possibility that he will continue to be president after 2006 is over.

    By contrast, if we say "he will remain president until 2006", this means that he will be president until January 2006, or June 2006, or December 2006, etc., but that sometime that year he will stop being president, or at least that there will be some election in 2006 which he may or may not win.
     
    I think the use of "through" is more American than British English. I certainly never heard it used at school or university in Britain.
    Maybe some other British or American members can confirm this, I've lived away from Britain too long!
     
    i think its more american. but then i think alot of things that are probably incorret :) i'd probably say he ill remain president through out 2006.
     
    Benjy said:
    i think its more american. but then i think alot of things that are probably incorret :) i'd probably say he ill remain president through out 2006.
    Click to expand...
    Benjy;
    You are too funny.
    Yup, a heap of incorret.
    te gato;)
     
    te gato said:
    Benjy;
    You are too funny.
    Yup, a heap of incorret.
    te gato;)
    Click to expand...

    lol. almost as good as yesterday when i posted "its two early for me to be thinking"

    also about june throught september or whatever, i doubt i would say that either ;) more likely from june til september.
     
    Using a long time period like 2006 is probably not a good example because it lasts for - well, 12 months (i've got benjy-brain tonight :)) Try this instead:

    The sale lasts through Tuesday (you get a discounted price until 11:59 PM Tuesday night. Wednesday the price goes back up).

    The sale lasts until Tuesday (you get a discounted price until 11:59 PM Monday night. Tuesday the price goes back up).​
     
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