The keyword phrase functions as an adverbial phrase of time. Its grammatical purpose is to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by specifying a precise point in time. It answers the question "when?" by establishing a temporal relationship between an event and a fixed future date.
Analytically, the phrase is a complex construction. It is centered around the preposition "before," which takes the noun phrase "September 11, 2025" as its object. The noun phrase "120 days" acts as an adverbial measure, quantifying the duration of the period preceding the specified date. This structure allows for a precise calculation. Counting back 120 days from September 11, 2025, pinpoints a specific calendar date: May 14, 2025. This is determined by subtracting the days sequentially through the preceding months (11 in September, 31 in August, 31 in July, 30 in June, and the remaining 17 from May).
In practical application, such a phrase is used to define deadlines, establish statutory periods, or set schedules in legal, administrative, and project management contexts. Its value lies in its precision; it converts a relative time frame into an absolute, verifiable date. By functioning as an adverbial phrase, it anchors an action or state described in a sentence to this calculated point in time, removing ambiguity and providing a clear temporal reference.
