Level 3 Grammar - Particles

We are going to take a look at particles which often appear in the JLPT Level 3 and 4 grammar section. Particles are grammical elements represented with one or two hiragana characters. Particles are similar to articles or prepostions in English.  Particles are added to the end of  words,  nouns or verbs,  to define the grammatical function of the words in the context of a sentence or phrase.

Let’s have a look at two particles used for expressing time.

まで and までに

まで　indicates the uppear limit when expressing a period of time.

先生が　戻るまで　待ってください。

Senei ga modoru made matte kudasi

Wait until the teacher returns

までに　is used to express the time by which something must be done.

今日の五時までに　このレポートを　書かなければならない

Kyo no goji madeni kono repo-to wo kakanakerebanaranai

I have to write this report by 5:oo today.

Be care not to confuse these two particles in the test.