but not until now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not until now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has only recently become relevant or applicable. Example: "I have been working on this project for months, but not until now did I realize its true potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But not until now has the Energy Department taken a coordinated approach to preserving atomic sites.

The New York Times

But not until now has a member of the 24-man FIFA executive committee dared to say it.

The New York Times - Sports

The new president will be Joachim Gauck, a former East German pastor favoured by the opposition and the Free Democrats, but not until now by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Economist

This sets out 15 factors that might be used to calculate reasonable royalties (they have been applied in several disputes, but not until now to SEPs).

The Economist

The Americans have used unmanned aircraft to target, or attempt to target, their enemies in Afghanistan, but not until now in the Arab world.

The Economist

I never believed we should exclude [LGBT Christians], but not until now have I believed we need to be working harder to include them".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But it largely hasn't–until now.

Forbes

Since then, Mr. Nadir regularly declared his innocence but had not, until now, returned to Britain.

The New York Times

Some speculated that the video was fake, but was not until now that Kimmel, notorious for his large and small scale pranks, admitted that he was behind it.

Huffington Post

"We just put it on YouTube and let the magic happen". Some speculated that the video was fake, but was not until now that Kimmel, notorious for his large and small scale pranks, admitted that he was behind it.

HuffPost

Our findings have been published as they have emerged from individual surveys [ 1- 4] but have not, until now, been compiled into a single summary paper for each specialty.

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not until now" to create a sense of realization or change after a period of time. It emphasizes a contrast between what was and what is.

Common error

Avoid using "but not until now" when simply stating a fact without implying a contrast or change. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a shift from a previous state or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not until now" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast with what preceded and emphasizing the recency of a particular event or realization. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not until now" is a versatile phrase used to signal a recent change or realization, creating a contrast with a previous state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives such as "only now" or "just recently" exist, "but not until now" effectively emphasizes the element of contrast, marking it as a useful tool for nuanced communication. Be mindful to reserve its use for situations where you want to underscore a change and avoid using it in simple affirmations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only now

Emphasizes the recency of the event or realization, omitting the contrastive element.

not before

Highlights that something did not happen prior to the current moment, focusing on the absence of prior occurrence.

just recently

Indicates that something happened in the very near past, lacking the 'but' contrast.

only at this point

Focuses on the specific moment when something becomes true or possible, excluding the initial contrasting element.

up until now

Highlights the duration leading to the present, while omitting the contrasting conjunction.

hitherto not

A more formal way of saying 'not until now', emphasizing the lack of prior occurrence with a stronger tone.

not previously

Focuses on the absence of prior instances, removing the 'but' conjunction and the sense of immediacy.

in the past

Indicates a contrast with a past state, but it is a more general expression.

as of late

Indicates a change that has occurred recently, omitting the element of surprise.

it wasn't always this way

Highlights a change from a previous state, using a more descriptive and less direct approach.

FAQs

How can I use "but not until now" in a sentence?

Use "but not until now" to indicate a change or realization that has recently occurred, contrasting with a previous state. For example, "I had researched the topic for months, but not until now did I truly understand its complexity."

What are some alternatives to "but not until now"?

You can use alternatives like "only now", "just recently", or "not before" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but not until now"?

While it is more common to find "but not until now" in the middle of a sentence, starting a sentence with "but" is grammatically acceptable. The key is to ensure the sentence structure and overall flow remain clear and coherent.

What's the difference between "but not until now" and "until now"?

"But not until now" introduces a contrast with a previous state, emphasizing a change or realization. "Until now" simply indicates something has been ongoing up to the present moment, without necessarily implying a prior different state.