In a TV show, a character said, "How long before that thing is ready?" I want to know: How is that sentence correct? I mean, if I were to say the same thing I would have said, "How long would it take for that thing to get ready?" I dont know if I am compeletely correct or not but still I never would have said the sentence that the character had said.
Also, please tell me: What are some other ways to say the same thing?