but hitherto

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but hitherto" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been the case up to the present time, often in a context where a change is expected or being discussed. Example: "The project has faced numerous challenges, but hitherto, we have managed to stay on schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But hitherto there has been little evidence of this outside immediate frontier areas.

The Economist

Which is something the games industry has striven to achieve for decades, but hitherto failed to pull off.

The Guardian - Tech

First, they made publicly knowable experiences of tyranny common to many Egyptians and Tunisians but hitherto unacknowledged.

MIT Technology Review

"The ERG do have a game plan, but hitherto people on the other wing of the party haven't really.

The Guardian

But hitherto there have been no direct observations of both the magnetic field direction and strength in any collimated jet.

Nature

But hitherto it has not been supposed that the knowledge of such liability deprives the owner of the right of compensation when his property is actually so taken.

Cornell University

Eastern Christians composed a consistent but hitherto neglected segment of these travelers, coming from the European and Asiatic territories of the Ottoman Empire, or even beyond.

Harvard University

We discuss theoretical and managerial implications, as well as directions for future research on this empirically important but hitherto under-researched phenomenon.

Research Policy

Internal viscosity from magnetic processes1,2,3,4 and disk winds5 can both in principle transfer angular momentum, but hitherto we lacked evidence that either occurs.

Nature

At this point, corporate organization must be aligned with corporate strategy, and coordination between related but hitherto independent businesses improved for the benefit of the whole corporation.

Harvard Business Review

He reprinted facsimile copies of a number of Charles Darwin's works, including his famous (but hitherto inaccessible) books on pollination and insectivorous plants.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but hitherto" to introduce a contrast with a previous situation, setting the stage for a change or new development. It's most impactful when the previous situation has been long-standing or widely assumed.

Common error

Avoid using "but hitherto" in casual or conversational writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in settings where simpler alternatives like "but until now" or "but previously" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but hitherto" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating a temporal contrast. It specifies that a certain condition or situation existed up to the present moment, implying a change or shift is now occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but hitherto" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to signal a contrast with a previous state, as validated by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's most appropriate for formal and scientific writing. For less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "but until now" are preferable. Its widespread use in reputable publications such as The Economist and Nature solidifies its standing as a valid, although somewhat formal, element of English vocabulary. When looking for a replacement, be mindful that there are many phrases that do this task of time-shifting, but you have to choose the one that fits well within your semantic context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but until now

Replaces 'hitherto' with a more common phrase while keeping the 'up to this point' meaning.

but previously

Focuses on the 'before now' aspect, suitable when emphasizing a change from a prior state.

but up to the present

More explicitly states the time frame, adding emphasis to the current moment.

but heretofore

A synonym of 'hitherto', maintaining a formal tone but potentially less familiar to modern readers.

but until then

Shifts the temporal focus slightly, emphasizing a point in the past until which something was true.

but thus far

Indicates progress up to the current moment, suitable when discussing ongoing developments.

but so far

A more colloquial alternative to 'thus far', suitable for less formal writing.

but in the past

Highlights the contrast between past conditions and the present.

but formerly

Emphasizes a prior state or condition, often used to describe roles or positions.

but in earlier times

Adds a historical dimension, suggesting a contrast with conditions in previous eras.

FAQs

How can I use "but hitherto" in a sentence?

Use "but hitherto" to indicate that something has been the case up to the present time, often in a context where a change is expected or being discussed. For example: "The project has faced numerous challenges, "but hitherto", we have managed to stay on schedule."

What phrases can I use instead of "but hitherto"?

You can use alternatives like "but until now", "but previously", or "but up to the present" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "but hitherto" in formal writing?

While "but hitherto" is generally suitable for formal writing, consider your audience. If you're concerned that the phrase might sound overly archaic or pretentious, a simpler alternative like "but until now" may be a better choice.

What's the difference between "but hitherto" and "but heretofore"?

"But heretofore" is a close synonym of "but hitherto", both indicating 'up to this time'. However, "but heretofore" is even more archaic and formal, making "but hitherto" the slightly more accessible option for modern writing. For most contemporary contexts, "but until now" is preferred.