hitherto

USAGE SUMMARY

"hitherto" is a valid word in English.
It is usually used to refer to something that has happened up to that point in time. For example, "Hitherto, all attempts to solve the problem have been unsuccessful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The negotiations, which began over a bottle of chablis in the House of Lords, are revealed in the hitherto unpublished diaries kept by the late Keys.

The Guardian

So far, he has recorded more than 230 hitherto unknown events.

The Guardian

Backed by the government-funded Quilliam Foundation and their media cheerleaders, the neocons have pressed tirelessly to end residual official engagement with mainstream nonviolent Islamist groups, hitherto aimed at isolating the genuinely extreme groups actually in the business of blowing up buses and tubes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Considering Dolan's finding that "female rape is significantly underreported and male rape almost never", I ask Stemple if, following her research, she believes it might be a hitherto unimagined part of all wars.

The Guardian

Ministers ordered the bugging of Edward VIII's telephones in Buckingham Palace and in his Windsor retreat at the height of the 1936 abdication crisis, hitherto secret papers reveal.

The Guardian

Revitalised by the arrival of the hitherto little-known 33-year-old Alex Neil as manager from Hamilton Academical in January, Norwich are the division's hottest team with seven wins in their last eight games.

The Guardian - Sport

Ricky Stuart's Canberra Raiders, hitherto friendless and apparently useless, have won again.

The Guardian - Sport

The Outsiders gave a powerful voice to a group of teenagers who were hitherto disenfranchised, marginalised and cast aside.

The Guardian

In the 1987 general election, McGrady seized the hitherto safe unionist seat from the Ulster Unionist party, which had parachuted Enoch Powell, the controversial Conservative figure, into the constituency after he decided not to stand for re-election to his Westminster seat in 1974.

The Guardian

Though not achieving nominations for either Hanks or director Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips still managed six nods, led by the hitherto unknown Somalian-born Barkhad Abadi, in the best supporting actor category.

The Guardian - Film

On the Essex coast, the UK Independence Party has just won its first parliamentary byelection; in Greater Manchester, they have come within a whisker of snatching a hitherto safe seat from Labour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hitherto" to add a formal or slightly archaic tone to your writing. It is most effective when you want to emphasize a change or contrast with the current situation.

Common error

Avoid using "hitherto" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "until now" or "previously" are usually more appropriate and less likely to sound pretentious.

How to use

Learn how to use "hitherto" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hitherto" is as an adverb of time. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate that something was the case up to a certain point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes situations or actions leading to the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hitherto" functions as an adverb indicating a time frame leading up to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and its presence across various news sources and professional contexts demonstrates its relevance in formal communication. While synonyms like "until now" and "previously" exist, "hitherto" adds a distinct formal tone. Remember to wield it thoughtfully, avoiding overuse in informal settings, to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. This ensures that your message conveys sophistication and contextual accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heretofore

This word is a direct synonym but is slightly less common than "hitherto".

up to now

This phrase is a more common and less formal way of saying "hitherto".

until now

Similar to "up to now", this phrase specifies that something has been true or has happened until the present moment.

til now

A more informal contraction of "until now".

so far

Indicates the extent to which something has progressed or been true.

up to this point

Specifies the time frame more explicitly.

as yet

This phrase suggests that something has not happened up to the present time.

before now

Emphasizes that something was not true or did not happen before the current moment.

previously

This adverb indicates something happened or was true at an earlier time.

formerly

Similar to "previously", this word emphasizes a past state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "hitherto" in a sentence?

"Hitherto" is typically used to indicate a state or condition that existed up to a particular point in time. For example, "Hitherto, all attempts to solve the problem have been unsuccessful."

What's a simpler way to say "hitherto"?

You can use alternatives like "up to now", "until now", or "previously" depending on the context.

Is "heretofore" interchangeable with "hitherto"?

Yes, "heretofore" is a direct synonym of "hitherto" and can be used interchangeably, although "hitherto" is slightly more common in contemporary usage.

When is it appropriate to use "hitherto" instead of "before now"?

"Hitherto" is generally more formal and literary. Use it when you want to add a touch of formality or emphasize a contrast with the current state. "Before now" is less formal and more direct.