but until then

USAGE SUMMARY

'but until then' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean that some event or activity may take some time to happen, or that one thing must take place before another can happen. Example Sentence: We'll have to wait until the contract is finalized, but until then, let's keep looking for other options.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But until 27 April Torquay's motto is "Knill desperandum".

The Guardian - Sport

But until 10pm, when the wind began to drop, their task was almost impossible.

Independent

But until 3-D arrives in more doctors' offices, there is an opportunity for some to make a buck.

Forbes

But until HTML5 trickles down to all those feature phones, the majority of the world's mobile users will be left behind.

TechCrunch

But until 9/11 top officials in this country had never publicly approved of torture.

Huffington Post

I'm not sure how many think about this, but until 16 months ago, 33 million gay Americans including myself did not have equal rights under the law.

Huffington Post

Patients in whom serum HCV RNA disappeared after 12 weeks but until 24 weeks after starting therapy (delayed virologic response) underwent 72-week extended treatment regimen.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Patients were considered to have a delayed virologic response if serum HCV RNA levels became undetectable after 12 weeks but until 24 weeks on treatment.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Two patients of the LSG group experienced severe GERD symptoms, but until 1 year after the operation, none of them agreed to have undergone conversion to LRYGB.

Annals of Surgery

In Africa, the issue is not about delaying motherhood until our 30s and 40s, but until our 20s.

Huffington Post

Usually until about 6.30pm, but occasionally until 9pm or 10pm.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but until then" to clearly signal a temporary condition or action, highlighting that a change will occur at a specific future point. For example: "The system will be down for maintenance, but until then, you can continue to use the older version."

Common error

Avoid using "but until then" when referring to ongoing, indefinite situations. The phrase is most effective when a clear end point is established. For example, avoid saying "We're short-staffed, but until then…" without specifying when staffing will improve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but until then" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It introduces a contrast while also establishing a temporal boundary. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests some event or activity will take some time to happen. It's used to connect two clauses, indicating that something will change at a specific point in the future.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but until then" is a grammatically correct conjunctive adverbial phrase used to signal a temporary state that will change at a specific future time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in English. Though the phrase doesn't occur frequently in Ludwig's examples, it functions to create a transition between the current situation and a future expectation. It is useful in diverse contexts, from formal professional environments to informal conversations, for setting expectations and managing understanding of temporary situations. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'then' refers to a clearly defined point in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but until that time

Replaces "then" with "that time" for a more specific temporal reference.

however until then

Substitutes "but" with "however" for a slightly more formal tone.

yet until then

Replaces "but" with "yet", indicating a contrast despite the time delay.

though until then

Swaps "but" with "though" which emphasizes concession.

nonetheless until then

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" for a stronger sense of contrast.

still until then

Uses "still" in place of "but", to highlight continuity.

even so until then

Uses "even so" instead of "but", implying a degree of acceptance or resignation.

but up until then

Adds "up" to "until" to stress the period leading to the specified time.

but in the interim

Replaces "until then" with "in the interim", focusing on the intervening period.

but until that happens

Changes "then" to "that happens" to refer to a specific anticipated event.

FAQs

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

Use "but until then" to indicate a state or action will continue up to a certain point. For example, "The renovations won't be complete for a few weeks, "but until then", we'll operate from the temporary office."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using "however, until that time" or "nonetheless, until such time". These alternatives provide a similar meaning to "but until then" but with increased formality.

Is "but until then" grammatically correct?

Yes, "but until then" is grammatically sound. It functions as a conjunction phrase, contrasting a current situation with a future change. According to Ludwig, it is correct and commonly used in written English.

What is the difference between "but until then" and "but after that"?

"But until then" indicates a period leading up to a specific time, while "but after that" refers to the period following it. "But until then" emphasizes the interim, whereas but after that highlights the subsequent state.