but until now

USAGE SUMMARY

"but until now" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to acknowledge a situation that has or hasn't happened so far, but is expected to happen in the future. Example: The project was initially rejected, but until now, it has been approved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But until now, little has happened.

The New York Times

But until now they haven't been kosher.

The New York Times - Food

But until now, I couldn't do that".

The New York Times

But until now, there is still no widely accepted method of evaluating the elasticity of polymers.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

But until now, she rarely visited.

The New York Times

But until now, not everybody had that.

The New York Times - Health

But until now that advice has met with legislative resistance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But until now, that's been a big if.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But, until now, no one had been attacked by one.

Independent

But until now the approach has yielded little but disappointment.

The New York Times

But until now, the bodies were never found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but until now" to clearly indicate a turning point or a change in circumstances. This phrase works best when contrasting a previous state with a current one.

Common error

Avoid using "but until now" repeatedly within a short span of text. Overuse can make your writing sound redundant. Try to rephrase some instances using alternatives like "however, up to this point" or "yet, previously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but until now" functions as an adverbial conjunction, connecting a previous state or situation with a contrasting present one. It indicates a change or a new development that alters the previous context. Ludwig provides numerous examples that highlight its function in introducing new information that contrasts with what was previously known or true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but until now" is a versatile adverbial conjunction used to introduce a contrast between a past state and a present one. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It effectively signals a shift in understanding, action, or circumstance across various contexts, most commonly in news and media, science, and academic writing. While suitable for formal and neutral registers, it is important to avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Numerous examples in Ludwig demonstrate its effectiveness in emphasizing turning points and new realizations in diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that being said, up until now

Adds a conversational tone, using "that being said" as a transition while retaining "up until now" for clarity.

however, up to this point

Replaces "but until now" with a more formal conjunction and prepositional phrase, emphasizing the contrast with the current situation.

nonetheless, until recently

Emphasizes a shift occurring in the near past, using "nonetheless" to introduce the contrasting information.

nevertheless, hitherto

Presents a formal alternative, with "hitherto" indicating the period leading up to the present.

yet, previously

Uses "yet" as a conjunction and "previously" to denote the time frame before the current situation, providing a concise alternative.

still, prior to this moment

Highlights the continuation of a state until a specific point, using "prior to this moment" to define the previous period.

in spite of that, until this time

Expresses contrast while specifying the duration with "until this time."

though, in the past

Offers a slightly less direct contrast, focusing on the prior state using "in the past" instead of a more immediate cutoff.

despite that, leading up to now

Highlights the unexpected change or realization, focusing on the progression of events leading to the present.

even so, before now

Indicates a contrast despite what was previously true, using "before now" for a simple temporal distinction.

FAQs

How can I use "but until now" in a sentence?

You can use "but until now" to introduce a contrast between a past situation and the present. For example, "The research had been inconclusive, but until now, no one had considered this approach."

What phrases are similar to "but until now"?

Alternatives include "however, up to this point", "yet, previously", or "nonetheless, until recently", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is "but until now" formal or informal?

"But until now" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts. While not overly academic, it is perfectly acceptable in professional writing and news reporting. More formal alternatives exist, such as "nevertheless, hitherto", if a more elevated register is desired.

Can I start a sentence with "but until now"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "but until now" is grammatically correct and effective for emphasizing a shift or change. For instance, "But until now, the issue had not been addressed directly."