In order to express a "deadline", a point in time by which an action will have been completed, you use the following expression:
by + [point in time] = d'ici + [moment dans le temps]
How to express a deadline in French
Look at the following examples:
Il pense avoir fini ce rapport d'ici jeudi.He thinks he'll have finished this report by Thursday.
Vous aurez déménagé d'ici avril.You'll have moved out by April.
Nous aurons fini de creuser la piscine d'ici le mois prochain.We'll have finished digging the swimming pool by next month.
Marie peut te l'apporter d'ici la semaine prochaine.Marie can bring it to you by next week.
Vous devriez le recevoir d'ici demain.You should receive it by tomorrow.
You can also use d'ici to express a duration of time within which an action will take place :
within + [duration] = d'ici + [durée]
Je dois partir d'ici une demi-heure.I have to leave within half an hour.
Vous recevrez une réponse d'ici une semaine.You'll get an answer within a week.
Ils doivent finir ça d'ici deux heures.They must finish this within two hours. But also :
Ils doivent finir ça d'ici deux heures.They must finish this by 2 o'clock.
You will use d'ici là to say by then :
Ils seront mariés d'ici là.They'll be married by then.
Je devrais aller mieux d'ici là.I should feel better by then.
You can also use d'ici peu - or sous peu - to express shortly, soon :
Ma mère devrait arriver d'ici peu.My mother should get here soon.
La version Android sera disponible sous peu.The Android version will be available shortly.
Note that d'ici à + [point in time] is the older version of d'ici + [point in time]. While it is still correct, it is not used very much these days.
Je serai là d'ici à mardi.I will be there by Tuesday.
Nous pensons terminer les travaux de rénovation d'ici à la fin de l'année.We think we'll finish the renovation work by the end of the year.
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