it was not until this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not until this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain event or realization occurred only after a specific point in time or condition was met. Example: "It was not until this moment that I truly understood the depth of her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Explaining the project's ambitious effort to engage with American history through music, Saunders writes that "it was not until this moment, and the appearance of '2776: A Musical Journey Through America's Past, Present & Future,' that it could truly be said that a record encapsulating all that is America had been attempted and failed".

The New Yorker

It was not until this inquiry that the existence of secret files on Nelson was admitted.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was not until this trip that he began to conceive "a more ambitious plan".

The Guardian - Books

It was not until this season that Iverson became the model teammate.

The New York Times - Sports

But the product still needed some tinkering, so it was not until this February that it hit the market.

The New York Times

It was not until this season that he was elected by his teammates as one of five captains.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It was not until this year that Marvel and DC Comics aggressively entered this arena.

The New York Times

But it was not until this decade that the company developed its broad reach in the North American market.

The New York Times

It was not until this year that anyone recognized their historical significance.

The New York Times

But it was not until this year that he ran the qualifying time he needed to compete in London.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not until this spring, however, that the company could be sure of the cause of the defect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was not until this", ensure that the subsequent clause explains what happened or was realized at that specific time. This provides context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was not until this" when a simpler phrasing would be more direct and effective. Overusing this structure can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted. Consider whether you can express the same idea more concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not until this" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the main clause to indicate when a particular action or realization occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was not until this" serves to emphasize the specific timing or delayed nature of an event or realization. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "it was not until this" is useful, consider alternatives such as "only after this" or "not before this" for conciseness or varied emphasis. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't until then that

Similar to the original but with a slightly varied structure, emphasizing the delay.

not before this

Emphasizes that something did not occur prior to the stated point.

only at this point

Highlights the specific moment when something began or became evident.

not sooner than this

Expresses that something could not have happened any earlier than the stated point.

not until then

Refers to a previously mentioned time, indicating a delay until that moment.

up until this moment

Focuses on the period leading up to the specific time, highlighting the change.

solely at this juncture

More formal, indicating a specific point in time or a critical moment.

just at this instant

Emphasizes the immediacy and precision of the timing.

merely at this stage

Highlights that something happened only at a particular phase or level.

exclusively at this time

Indicates that something occurred only at this specific moment and no other.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not until this" to sound more concise?

You can use alternatives like "only then", "not until", or "just at that point". The best choice depends on the specific context, but these options often provide a more direct expression.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it wasn't until this"?

Yes, "it wasn't until this" is a grammatically correct and commonly used contraction of "it was not until this". It functions the same way and is suitable for less formal contexts.

What is the difference between "only after this" and "it was not until this"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "it was not until this" often emphasizes a sense of delay or surprise, while "only after this" simply indicates a sequence of events.

How to use "it was not until this" in a sentence?

You can use the expression like in the following example: "It was not until this moment that I perceived how her hairs were as long as her."