Hitherto

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hitherto" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that has occurred up to a particular point in time. Example: "The research has hitherto shown promising results, but further studies are needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The negotiations, which began over a bottle of chablis in the House of Lords, are revealed in the hitherto unpublished diaries kept by the late Keys.

The Guardian

So far, he has recorded more than 230 hitherto unknown events.

The Guardian

Backed by the government-funded Quilliam Foundation and their media cheerleaders, the neocons have pressed tirelessly to end residual official engagement with mainstream nonviolent Islamist groups, hitherto aimed at isolating the genuinely extreme groups actually in the business of blowing up buses and tubes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Considering Dolan's finding that "female rape is significantly underreported and male rape almost never", I ask Stemple if, following her research, she believes it might be a hitherto unimagined part of all wars.

The Guardian

Ministers ordered the bugging of Edward VIII's telephones in Buckingham Palace and in his Windsor retreat at the height of the 1936 abdication crisis, hitherto secret papers reveal.

The Guardian

Revitalised by the arrival of the hitherto little-known 33-year-old Alex Neil as manager from Hamilton Academical in January, Norwich are the division's hottest team with seven wins in their last eight games.

The Guardian - Sport

Ricky Stuart's Canberra Raiders, hitherto friendless and apparently useless, have won again.

The Guardian - Sport

The Outsiders gave a powerful voice to a group of teenagers who were hitherto disenfranchised, marginalised and cast aside.

The Guardian

In the 1987 general election, McGrady seized the hitherto safe unionist seat from the Ulster Unionist party, which had parachuted Enoch Powell, the controversial Conservative figure, into the constituency after he decided not to stand for re-election to his Westminster seat in 1974.

The Guardian

Though not achieving nominations for either Hanks or director Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips still managed six nods, led by the hitherto unknown Somalian-born Barkhad Abadi, in the best supporting actor category.

The Guardian - Film

On the Essex coast, the UK Independence Party has just won its first parliamentary byelection; in Greater Manchester, they have come within a whisker of snatching a hitherto safe seat from Labour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hitherto" to introduce information that was previously unknown or unconsidered. It adds a formal and sophisticated tone to your writing.

Common error

While "hitherto" is a valid word, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "until now" or "so far" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

Hitherto functions as an adverb of time, specifying a period leading up to the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in formal writing. This is evident from the examples provided, showing its use in modifying verbs and adjectives to indicate a previous state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hitherto" is a formal adverb of time that signifies "up to this time". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is frequently found in news and formal business contexts, indicating a professional and neutral tone. When using "hitherto", keep in mind its formality and consider simpler alternatives like "until now" in more casual settings. Common mistakes include overusing it in informal conversation. Prominent sources using the term include The Guardian and The Economist, further underscoring its authoritative use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Heretofore

A near synonym of "hitherto", maintaining the same level of formality and meaning.

Up to this point

Rephrases "hitherto" in a more explicit and less formal way, emphasizing the boundary of the time period.

Until now

Offers a more common and straightforward substitute for "hitherto", suitable for broader audiences.

So far

Simplifies "hitherto" with a focus on the progression of time leading to the present.

Up to the present

Similar in meaning but highlights the current moment as the endpoint.

To date

A slightly more formal synonym that emphasizes the accumulated progress or status until the current date.

As yet

Indicates something that hasn't happened up to now, similar to "hitherto" in some contexts.

Previously

Focuses on the past without necessarily implying continuity to the present, unlike "hitherto".

In the past

A general phrase referring to earlier times, less precise than "hitherto" in marking a specific cutoff.

Until then

Specifies a point in the past as the cutoff, different from "hitherto" which implies a link to the present.

FAQs

How do you use "hitherto" in a sentence?

Use "hitherto" to indicate a state of affairs that existed up to a certain point in time. For example, "The information was "hitherto unavailable" to the public."

What's a simpler word for "hitherto"?

Common alternatives for "hitherto" include "until now", "so far", or "up to this point". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "hitherto" interchangeable with "heretofore"?

"Hitherto" and "heretofore" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. Both are formal adverbs meaning "up to this time" or "until now".

When should I avoid using "hitherto"?

Avoid using "hitherto" in informal contexts or when writing for a general audience who may not be familiar with the word. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "previously" or "before" are more appropriate.