(1) A present tense verb form is used in the by-the-time phrase when the main clause expresses present or future progressive timing. (2) A past verb form is used in the by-the-time phrase when the main clause expresses past progressive timing. ... *They will be eating dinner by the time we will arrive.

Can we use by with time?

You can use “by” with the end time of an activity. The show should be finished by 9pm. It means no later than. So when it's used with a specific time, it can mean on or before that time.

Which tense is used with by the time?

A question about time expressions with the past perfect tense: I realise “by the time” is a time expression used with the past perfect but in this sentence: “By the time he arrived at school, the lesson had finished” , why is “by the time” next to the verb in the past tense (arrived) as if it is refering to that verb ...