Till then

USAGE SUMMARY

"Till then" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and it basically means "until then".
It is usually used in the sense of waiting for something to happen before moving forward. For example: I'm going to stay here until the storm passes. Till then, I suggest we take shelter in the nearby cave.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Till then, adieu!

The Guardian

Till then – Pip! Pip!

The Guardian - Sport

Till then, he'd keep disrupting.

The New Yorker

Till then, ignorance is bliss.

The New Yorker

Till then, Good night all!

The Guardian - Business

Till then, refreshingly, it's not for sale.

The New York Times

Till then, he's a man without a voice, oddly childlike.

Independent

Till then, tea and soft drinks must suffice.

The New York Times - Food

Till then, Morsi had been holding on tight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Till then I content myself with Microsoft's offering.

The New York Times

Till then, it was thought that Neptune was more static.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Till then" to clearly mark a temporary state or action that will change once a specific event occurs. This helps to structure information chronologically.

Common error

Avoid using "Till then" when the future event is uncertain. It implies a definite point in time, so using it for hypothetical situations can create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Till then" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating the duration of a state or activity until a specified point in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Till then" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase that acts as an adverbial of time, signifying continuation until a specified future point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various registers—from news and business to general communication—to bridge temporal gaps. For related alternatives, you might consider "until that time" or "in the meantime". Remember to use "Till then" when the future event is certain to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Until that time

Replaces "then" with "that time" making it more specific.

In the meantime

Focuses on the intervening period before the event.

Up until then

Adds emphasis on the period leading to the event.

Until such time

Formal and emphasizes the condition of time.

Until that moment

Replaces "then" with "that moment" for clarity.

Before that happens

Shifts the focus to the event that needs to happen.

Afore that time

Replaces "before" with the archaic "afore", which means before or in front.

Prior to that

Uses a more formal tone, indicating a time before something else.

Until we reach that point

Emphasizes the idea of progressing to a specific stage.

Up to the time

Focuses on the duration leading to a specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "Till then" in a sentence?

"Till then" is typically used to indicate a continuation of a current state or action until a specified future event. For example, "The renovations won't be finished until next month. "Till then", we'll have to use the back entrance".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "Till then"?

Alternatives to "Till then" include "until then", "in the meantime", or "up until then". The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to use "Till then" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "Till then". It functions as a transitional phrase, linking the current situation to a future one.

What's the difference between "Until then" and "Till then"?

"Until then" and "Till then" are essentially interchangeable. "Till" is simply a shortened form of "until" and carries the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the desired tone of the writing.