I can lend you some money until the end of the month

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #237 [color=blue]“Various Conjunctions (5)”, question 9

I can lend you some money … the end of the month. You have to pay me back on the 31st because I need that money for rent.

(a) unless
(b) until
(c) if
(d) so

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #237 [color=blue]“Various Conjunctions (5)”, answer 9

I can lend you some money until the end of the month. You have to pay me back on the 31st because I need that money for rent.

Correct answer: (b) until

Your answer was: [color=green]correct
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

Hello everyone.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but on that sentence, I think it should be written: I can lend you some money BY the end of the month.
UNTIL there gives the idea that I’m going to keep on lending money until the end of the month. Does it make any sense?

Thanks in advance.

2

Hello Jacqueline,

Welcome to the forums.

I’m afraid your thoughts are not correct.

If you use ‘by the end of the month’ you are saying that you will not be able to give them the money until that time.

‘until the end of the month’ in the test question indicates that you can lend money now but you will want it repaid at the end of the month. The context makes it clear that it does not mean you will be lending money to someone from this moment right up until the end of the month. That would just be silly,

3

Hello Beesnees.
Yeah, that would be just silly, that’s why I asked the questions here.

That’s what forums are made for, right? :slight_smile:
Thank you for making it clear though.