is not until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not until" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when referring to something that has not yet happened, or will not happen until a certain point in the future. For example: "The weather is not until it gets colder at the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

THE election is not until 2003.

The Economist

The election is not until October.

The Economist

THE presidential election is not until October.

The Economist

Sometimes it is not until after sunset.

The New York Times

And it is not until the end.

The New Yorker

That is, not until Sept. 11.

The New York Times

His next steady engagement is not until March.

The New York Times - Arts

"Security in our city also is not until now.

The New Yorker

Technically, France's national day is not until Thursday.

The New York Times

"It is time".The primary is not until May 2012.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Alas for lovestruck Iranians, it is not until October.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not until" to clearly indicate the timing of an event or action, emphasizing that nothing will happen before that specified time. Ensure that the context clearly establishes what event is being delayed.

Common error

Avoid using "is not until" when the delay is conditional or uncertain. This phrase implies a definite, predetermined timeframe. For conditional delays, use phrases like "will likely not be until" or "may not be until."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not until" functions as a temporal marker, indicating the point in time when an event or action will commence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to express a delay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not until" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something will happen at a specific time in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the timing is definite. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "will not happen before" for emphasis or rephrasing for formality. Be cautious of using this phrase when the timeline is not fixed or when the nature of the context requires a more adaptable phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will not happen before

Emphasizes the temporal boundary before an event can occur.

does not occur prior to

Highlights the condition that something must wait for a specific time.

is scheduled for

Focuses on a planned future event, implying nothing happens before.

begins no sooner than

Stresses the earliest possible starting time.

is only after

Emphasizes what follows a particular event.

will commence following

Formal way to state when something will start, nothing beforehand.

is contingent on

Highlights dependence of an event on a future condition.

awaits the arrival of

Indicates a period of waiting for something specific.

is subsequent to

Focuses on the sequence of events, with one following the other.

waits upon

Implies a dependency on the arrival or occurrence of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not until" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "does not occur prior to", "will commence following", or "is subsequent to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's a more casual way to say "is not until"?

More casual alternatives include phrases like "won't be before" or "not happening till" depending on the context.

How to use "is not until" correctly in a sentence?

Make sure to follow "is not until" with a specific point in time or event. For example, "The meeting "is not until" next week".

What's the difference between "is not until" and "will not be until"?

While similar, "is not until" implies a more definite, predetermined time, while "will not be until" can suggest a slightly less certain timeframe or a future arrangement. The nuances may depend on the sentence context.