not until now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not until now" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has not happened or been true until the current point in time. For example: "I had never thought about going to medical school before, but not until now do I feel so sure that this is the path I want to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not until now.

The Guardian - Books

Not until now, anyway.

The New York Times

Not until now, that is.

The Guardian - Sport

At least, not until now.

The New York Times

Mr. Sherman quickly replied, "Not until now".

The New York Times

And not until now did anyone know I'd messed up.

University of California, Berkeley

"Security in our city also is not until now.

The New Yorker

But not a gyrating thermometer, at least not until now.

The New York Times

I never saw him naked — not until now, of course".

The New Yorker

Yet not until now has the notion of a high and largely symbolic fence been proposed.

University of California, Berkeley

The retailer had not until now collaborated with an editor or blogger.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not until now" to emphasize a change in circumstance or realization that has just occurred. It adds a sense of timing and can highlight the significance of the present moment.

Common error

Avoid using "not until now" when a simpler phrase like "only now" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not until now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event or realization. It emphasizes that something is only happening or being understood at the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not until now" functions as an adverbial phrase to highlight a change or realization occurring in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it is commonly used across various authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. Best practices include using it to emphasize significant turning points, while common errors involve unnecessary dramatic phrasing where simpler options exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only now

Focuses on the present moment as the point of change, omitting the negation and 'until'.

until this moment

Highlights the specific moment as the turning point, differing in word order.

only at this point

Highlights the specific time frame, emphasizing the lateness of the realization.

it wasn't until now

Shifts the emphasis to the 'it' and uses a more complex sentence structure.

not previously

Emphasizes the absence of something before the current time.

not before this

Emphasizes the precedence of events, differing in word choice and syntax.

up until now

Implies a duration leading to the present, differing from the sudden realization.

just now

Implies a very recent occurrence, differing in the implied duration.

for the first time

Highlights the novelty of the event, differing in its focus on newness.

hitherto not

Uses a more formal and less common phrasing to indicate something has not happened previously.

FAQs

How can I use "not until now" in a sentence?

Use "not until now" to indicate that something has only just become true or apparent. For example: "I didn't understand the importance of exercise, but "not until now" do I realize how much better I feel when I'm active."

What's a simpler way to say "not until now"?

Alternatives include "only now", "just now", or "only at this point". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "not until now"?

While grammatically correct, "not until now" can sometimes sound overly dramatic or formal. Consider whether a simpler phrasing would be more appropriate for your context.

What's the difference between "not until now" and "up until now"?

"Not until now" emphasizes a specific turning point, while "up until now" suggests a continuous state leading to the present. They have subtly different implications regarding duration and change.