but until today

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but until today" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change or revelation that has occurred up to the present moment, often implying that something was true or the case until now. Example: "I had never considered that option, but until today, I thought I had explored all possibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But until today, nobody has gotten justice".

The New York Times

But until today, the Trump campaign never had.

The Washington Post

But until today, there was no caucus of democratic nations.

The New York Times

But until today, he appeared exempt from the learning process.

The New York Times - Sports

Others have written on CDS, but until today I didn't really get it.

The Economist

But until today nothing was done to punish the football program that "JoePa" built.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But until 1960, brothels were rare.

The New York Times - Health

But until this week, statuary had been spared.

The New York Times

But until 2006, papers held their own.

The New York Times

But until this week's stroke it seemed to be working.

The Economist

But until last week, his most eccentric product was Beliefnet.com.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but until today" to introduce a realization or change that has just occurred or been recognized. It's effective for highlighting a shift in understanding or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "but until today" when the time frame is longer than a single day. If the situation evolved over several days or weeks, consider using "but until recently" or "but until now" instead to more accurately reflect the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but until today" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, introducing a contrast to a prior statement or situation while also indicating a temporal boundary. It sets up a change or realization that has occurred up to and including the current day, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but until today" is a versatile conjunctive phrase used to introduce a contrast alongside a temporal shift, highlighting a realization or change that has become apparent on the current day. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific publications. When using the phrase, ensure the timeframe aligns with the single day and be mindful of choosing more formal alternatives if needed. Keep in mind that it serves to emphasize a contrast between what was known or believed before and the current understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, until now

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

yet, until today

Substitutes "but" with "yet", implying a sense of surprise or unexpectedness.

up until now

Omits "but" and focuses solely on the temporal aspect, indicating a shift at the present moment.

until the present day

Replaces "today" with "the present day" for a more emphatic and slightly formal tone.

as of today, however

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the current date, using "however" for contrast.

but previously

Emphasizes that something has been changed, looking in the past.

but in the past

Highlights the contrast between the past and the present situation.

until this moment

Replaces "today" with "this moment" for a more immediate and impactful feeling.

though until today

Uses "though" instead of "but" while retaining the temporal marker.

not until today

Emphasizes that something only began happening or being known on this specific day.

FAQs

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

Use "but until today" to indicate that something has changed or become apparent on the current day. For example, "I thought the project was on track, but until today, I didn't realize how far behind schedule we were."

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

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "however, until now" or "up until now". These options offer a similar meaning but with a slightly elevated level of formality.

Is it correct to say "until today, but" instead of "but until today"?

While grammatically understandable, "but until today" is the more standard and natural-sounding phrasing. Reversing the order can sound awkward or less fluent.

What's the difference between "but until today" and "but until now"?

"But until today" specifically refers to the current day, highlighting something that has become apparent or changed today. "But until now" is more general and can refer to any point in the recent past leading up to the present moment.