it was only until

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was only until' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happened only until a certain point in time, and no longer exists after that point. For example, "It was only until last year that I was a student at that school."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was only 8 p.m.

The New York Times

"A year ago it was only 38 nationalities".

The New York Times

But it was only 1 a.m.

The New York Times

It was only 20 days ago.

Independent

It was only 11 o'clock.

The New York Times

It was only 26 cents.

The New York Times

It was only 205 characters.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it was only 7 45.

The New York Times - Arts

It was only 9 a.m.

The New York Times

It was only 100 days ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Hatfield said it was only 30.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives such as "it lasted until" or "it only continued until" to enhance clarity and avoid potential awkwardness in contemporary writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was only until" when you intend to describe a future event. This phrase is best suited for past events with a defined endpoint. For example, instead of "It was only until next week that the offer is valid", use "The offer is valid only until next week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was only until" functions as a conjunction phrase. It introduces a time constraint, indicating the limit of a particular condition or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though acknowledges its rarity in contemporary writing.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was only until" is grammatically correct but infrequently used in modern English, as indicated by Ludwig. It serves to specify the period during which a condition or action was valid. While acceptable, alternatives might offer enhanced clarity or a more contemporary feel. Be mindful of temporal scope, ensuring the phrase suits past events with a defined endpoint. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lasted only until

Replaces "was" with "lasted", emphasizing the duration of the state or action.

it existed only until

Substitutes "was" with "existed", highlighting the state of being before the cutoff point.

it continued only until

Uses "continued" to stress the ongoing nature of the action until the specified time.

it remained only until

Replaces "was" with "remained", focusing on the persistence of a state or condition.

it held true only until

Emphasizes the validity or accuracy of something only up to a certain point.

it applied only until

Highlights the limited applicability of a rule or condition.

it was merely until

Adds "merely" to downplay the significance or duration before the cutoff.

it was solely until

Uses "solely" to emphasize the exclusivity of the duration.

it functioned only until

Replaces "was" with "functioned", focusing on the operational period.

it operated only until

Similar to "functioned", stressing the active performance until a deadline.

FAQs

How can I use "it was only until" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates that something existed or occurred solely up to a specific time. For example, "It was only until last year that I lived in that city".

What can I say instead of "it was only until"?

You can use alternatives like "it lasted only until", "it existed only until", or "it continued only until" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was only until" or "it was not until"?

"It was only until" implies something ended at a point in time. "It was not until" emphasizes the lateness of an event. They have different meanings and usages.

What's the difference between "it was only until" and "it was only after"?

"It was only until" refers to a period that ended. "It was only after" indicates something happened following a specific event or time. For example, "It was only after the rain that the sun came out".