but to date

USAGE SUMMARY

"but to date" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referencing a specific point in time or duration of time. For example: "Several attempts have been made to solve the problem, but to date, none have been successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But to date, none have arrived, opposition officials said.

The New York Times

But to date, I have seen no downside whatsoever.

The New York Times

But to date, no officials have been charged with wrongdoing.

The New York Times

But to date, all the pieces have meshed perfectly.

The New York Times

But to date, they still have decided to remain anonymous.

The New Yorker

But to date, Beijing officials have been silent.

The New York Times

"But to date, no one has been identified".

The New York Times

But to date, the ban is still on.

The New York Times

But to date, measuring and managing engagement has been a difficult art.

The Economist

But to date China has not been a source of demand.

The Economist

But to date Japan has insisted that liberalisation exclude rice, beef, pork, sugar and dairy products.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but to date" to introduce a contrast or unexpected situation that persists until the present moment. For instance, 'The project aimed to reduce costs, but to date, expenses have only increased.'

Common error

Avoid using "but to date" when referring to future events or projections. The phrase is strictly for describing situations that have persisted until the present. Instead of saying 'The company plans to expand, but to date, it's still evaluating options,' use a future-oriented phrase like 'The company plans to expand, but as of now, it's still evaluating options'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but to date" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate the time frame up to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to introduce a contrast or unexpected situation that persists until now.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but to date" is a versatile adverbial phrase commonly used to introduce a situation persisting until the present, frequently contrasting with previous expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. Alternatives include "until now" and "so far". While generally neutral, it should be used carefully to avoid referring to future events. This phrase appears most often in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so far

Commonly used to indicate progress or lack thereof up to the current moment.

until now

A simpler, more direct alternative focusing on the duration leading to the present.

as of yet

Replaces "but to date" with a more concise expression of the current state.

to this day

Emphasizes the continuation of a situation until the present.

up to the present time

More formal and explicitly indicates the time frame being considered.

as things stand

Highlights the current situation, often implying a lack of change.

at this juncture

More formal, emphasizing the current point in time.

hitherto

A more formal and somewhat archaic term with the same core meaning.

in the interim

Focuses on the period between two events up to the present moment.

previously

Focuses on past events leading to the current situation.

FAQs

How can I use "but to date" in a sentence?

Use "but to date" to introduce a situation that has persisted until the present, often contrasting with previous expectations. For example: "The company invested heavily in marketing, but to date, the returns have been minimal."

What are some alternatives to using "but to date"?

You can use alternatives such as "until now", "so far", or "as of yet" depending on the specific context.

Is "but to date" formal or informal?

The phrase "but to date" is generally considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the formal side compared to phrases like "so far".

What's the difference between "but to date" and "up to now"?

"But to date" and "up to now" are very similar. "But to date" often introduces a contrast or unexpected situation, whereas "up to now" simply indicates a time frame leading to the present.