by Monday/ on Monday [day/ date] (2024)

Hi,
Is there a difference in meaning between "by Monday and on Monday"?

My friend borrowed the book that I had borrowed from the local library. And I have to return in on Monday to avoid the the overdue fines. So what should I tell him?

1) Don't forget to give the book back to me by Monday.

2) Don't forget to give the book back to me on Monday.

Thanks.

(1) Return the book on or before Monday.
(2) Return the book on Monday, not before.

There are other threads discussing whether "by Monday" has the meaning I used or perhaps means "before midnight on Sunday". If I can find one, I'll post a link.

Mr.X Senior said:

1. He/She can return the book before or on Monday. ( It's the force )
2. He/She can return the book on Monday. ( It's the option )

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I don't understand your use of "force" and "option".
Would you mind explaining?

Force means that the word "by" forces the borrower that the borrower had little or no choice but to return the book latest by Moday.

Option means if the borrower wanted to return the book before Monday, he/she might do so.

I am so sorry if I make you confuse.

I think I might understand, or perhaps not. I'm still confused.
(1) - return by Monday - gives maximum choice.
(2) - return on Monday - requires the book to be returned on a specific day, not before, not after.

Why would you refer to (1) as "the force" and (2) as "the option"?
It seems to me these should be the other way round

NickJunior said:

1) Don't forget to give the book back to me by Monday.

2) Don't forget to give the book back to me on Monday.

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1. Return it to me no later than Monday.

2. Return it to me neither before nor after Monday. We will meet again on Monday,
and at that time you are to return the book to me.

panjandrum said:

I think I might understand, or perhaps not. I'm still confused.
(1) - return by Monday - gives maximum choice.
(2) - return on Monday - requires the book to be returned on a specific day, not before, not after.

Why would you refer to (1) as "the force" and (2) as "the option"?
It seems to me these should be the other way round

Click to expand...

Ha Ha, I said zero and you said it was O
I am looking from the borrower point of view and end result. If I were borrower, I could return ( as 1 ) by or before , so I know that I had to do it, if I want to return the book before.

As for 2, I could returen before Monday if I would like to but not necessary to.

Mr.X Senior said:

Ha Ha, I said zero and you said it was O
I am looking from the borrower point of view and end result. If I were borrower, I could return ( as 1 ) by or before , so I know that I had to do it, if I want to return the book before.

As for 2, I could returen before Monday if I would like to but not necessary to.

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You are saying that (2), "give the book back to me on Monday", allows you to give the book back before Monday.

I don't agree.
Today is Saturday.
(1) The book may be returned today, tomorrow or on Monday.
(2) The book may be returned only on Monday, not before.

panjandrum said:

You are saying that (2), "give the book back to me on Monday", allows you to give the book back before Monday.

I don't agree.

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No, (2) gives the borrower the option that if he/she wants to return before Monday, might do so as option -- we could not stop him/her , could we -- . However, lender prefers to be returned on Monday.

But in the sentence :

We will meet on Monday. It's confirm that we could not meet before Monday and very unlikely as there are two parties involved. But in the senetece (2), only one.

No, sorry, Mr.X Senior.

"On Monday" means there is no choice about the day. The book has to be returned on Monday: it can't be returned on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

"By Monday" means the book can be returned any day - Friday, Saturday, Sunday would be fine - provided that the book is back in the library when the library closes on Monday.

Hi Lobo,

I agree with both of you on the "On Monday", however, my point is that in the setence the borrower might return the book before as he/she wish we have no control over it. But, in other sentence it was very clear we are going to meet on Monday, not Sunday, Saturday.

"By Monday", it's as what you had explained. The borrower had no choice but to return the book latest by Monday.

NickJunior said:

My friend borrowed the book that I had borrowed from the local library.

1) Don't forget to give the book back to me by Monday. It is Friday. I have the book. I may return it today, tomorrow (Saturday), Sunday, or Monday. I have the option to return whenever it so pleases me.

2) Don't forget to give the book back to me on Monday. It is Thursday. I have the book. (Let's pretend) the library is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I have no option other than to return it on Monday.

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Mr.X Senior said:

"By Monday", it's as what you had explained. The borrower had no choice but to return the book latest by Monday.

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As wiith everyone else who has responded, I see "by Monday" as giving me more choice, not less.

If you insist on seeing it as "no choice but to return", the two options are:

1) No choice but to return it on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
2) No choice but to return it on Monday.

There is no more "force" behind "by" than "on". "Pay me back on Monday" is not less forceful than "Pay me back by Monday."

"By" gives more choice as to the return date, not less.