"by next week"

[echineko 1]

If, for example, on Wednesday, someone says "we should have it by next week", is that vague comment meaning any time next week or meaning maybe before beginning of next week?

 

This kind of comment is often confusing for me!

 

Thank you

[bobby12 0]

I think it means 'sometime in next week', but not 100% sure. Taken literelly it should mean 'before next week'.

[scouser 4]

I'd agree with bobby there. But they probably mean "sometime next week".

[HelperElfMissy 42]

I would interpret that to be:

 

I need this to be done fairly quickly so I would like to have it as soon as possible but no later than this time next week. So anytime before next wednesday is good but the earlier the better.

 

Just my interpretation.

 

However this a classic example of how people in offices or other work environments get on each others nerves - you see the interpretation by each person of that statement can be different - so each person has a different expectation - leading to both people being annoyed.

 

Better to be clear so there is no miscommunication.

 

Echi - if you are not clear with understanding the request I would ask "so by next Wednesday, but if I can get it done faster you would like it before then, yes?" Then let them clarify for you.

[snowdude 44]

Ok how I would interpret it is by the end of next week at the latest.

To make it properly understood you would need to add a weekday then it is obvious, "by next friday" so at the latest next friday, but could be earlier.

[thursday 1]

Echi, that sounds to me, by Monday.

[TheOrange 0]

It really annoys me when people speak so vague.

Often it is vague on purpose - even more annoying.