Up until then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Up until then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time before another event or situation occurred. Example: "Up until then, I had never considered moving to a different city for work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Up until then it was illegal..

The Guardian

"Up until then, I had not had any tears," Iwai said.

The New York Times

"Up until then, it was a tough team to love," Mr. Marchand agreed.

The New York Times

"Up until then I played pretty solid golf.

BBC

"Up until then, I hadn't see the animated version.

Huffington Post

"Up until then until you get that playoff berth, you're focusing on making the playoffs.

Los Angeles Times

But up until then we were still going with it".

BBC

It had been a fairly harmonious place up until then".

The Guardian

But up until then, Sam could hit it and hit it out there.

The New York Times - Sports

But up until then I hadn't thought much about the process of decision making.

The New York Times

How much of that sentiment was true up until then, and genuinely felt?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Up until then", ensure the context clearly defines what 'then' refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "Up until then" without a clear reference point. Ensure that the reader knows exactly what time or event 'then' is referring to. Without a clear reference, the phrase becomes vague and loses its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Up until then" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate time. Ludwig shows that it sets a temporal boundary, specifying a period leading to a particular event or point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Up until then" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to establish a temporal context before a specific event. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, particularly in news media and general writing. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its effectiveness in setting the stage for a subsequent action or situation. While it's generally considered neutral in tone, formal alternatives like "prior to that time" can be used to maintain a professional tone. Remember to ensure that the reference point ('then') is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Until then

Shorter version, appropriate if the 'that' is implied.

Until that point

Focuses on a specific point in time, similar to the original phrase, but uses more formal language.

Up to that moment

Highlights a specific moment in time, similar to the original phrase.

Prior to that time

Emphasizes the temporal precedence, using slightly more formal wording.

Before that

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea.

Previously

A single-word adverb that conveys the same meaning succinctly.

In the time leading up to that

More descriptive, emphasizing the period before the event.

Until that juncture

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for 'point' or 'time'.

Heretofore

A formal and somewhat archaic term meaning 'up to this time'.

Ere then

Archaic and poetic, meaning 'before then'.

FAQs

How can I use "Up until then" in a sentence?

"Up until then" is used to indicate a period of time before a specific event or point. For example, "Up until then, I had never considered moving abroad".

What's a more formal alternative to "Up until then"?

If you need a more formal alternative, you could use phrases like "prior to that time" or "previously".

Is "Up until then" the same as "Until then"?

While similar, "Up until then" often implies a more significant build-up or duration of time leading to the event. "Until then" can be used more generally.

Can I use "Up until then" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "Up until then" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to set the temporal context. For example, "Up until then, everything had been proceeding according to plan".