not until that point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not until that point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will not happen or be true before a specific moment in time. Example: "The project was not approved until that point, which caused significant delays in the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although Mr. Winnick orchestrated most of Global's biggest deals, raised all of the company's initial financing, answered analysts' questions at road shows, kept in daily contact with a string of executives and even supervised landscaping at Global's headquarters in Beverly Hills, he told Congressional investigators that it was not until that point that he learned Global would not hit its numbers.

The New York Times

"I had not until that point considered exactly why I took the pill since I had always asked my partners to use condoms.

Vice

Then, and not until then are former gangsters ready to begin rebuilding their lives with education, counseling, and job training, because not until that point do ex-gang members have any real foundation on which to build.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For details and the general equivalence of these survival values (based on the 15-year Kaplan Meier survival rate, based upon Karrison et al (1999) finding that it is not until this point in time that the survival rate become clear), see Michaelson et al (2002, 2003).

British Journal of Cancer

That was for me part of the mystique and magic of the book... it opened my eyes to parts of the country which I hadn't until that point been very familiar with".

The Guardian - Books

"We had a lot of momentum – but it wasn't until that point that Tuesday's game entered my head – and we now have plenty of confidence getting on the plane".

The Guardian - Sport

It wasn't until that point that I really made the connection between what I was seizing and the fact it was having an impact on real human lives.

Vice

It wasn't until this point that we started to realise what we had let ourselves in for!

The Guardian

In legal terms, the controversy is not "ripe" until that point.

The New Yorker

Carter had not scored until that point, and the game was long out of reach.

The New York Times - Sports

The difference may be explained by some participants in the control group assuming that because the control period was 6 months, their participation was not required until that point.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not until that point" to clearly establish a temporal boundary, emphasizing that an action or event is contingent upon reaching a specific moment. For example, "The data cannot be analyzed "not until that point" when all variables have been collected."

Common error

Avoid using "not until that point" when the temporal relationship is unclear or ambiguous. Ensure that the context explicitly defines the point being referenced to prevent confusion. For example, instead of saying 'Progress was slow "not until that point", clarify: 'Progress was slow "not until that point", when the new software was implemented'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not until that point" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a specific time frame. It signifies that a certain action, event, or condition did not occur before the mentioned point in time. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not until that point" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize a specific temporal boundary or condition. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for use in various contexts, although it appears most frequently in News & Media. When using this phrase, writers should ensure that the "point" being referenced is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as ""only then"" or ""not before then"" for stylistic variation. Although found less frequently than some alternatives, it is a valid and useful way to describe temporal sequences. The phrase is deemed suitable for neutral to formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not until then

A more concise alternative with the same meaning, removing "that point".

only then

Focuses on the temporal sequence but is shorter and more emphatic.

not before then

Highlights the temporal aspect and emphasizes that it cannot happen sooner.

only at that time

Emphasizes the specific timing of the event.

solely after that

Emphasizes exclusivity and the required sequence.

up to that moment, not

Inverts the structure to emphasize what did not happen prior.

merely at that stage

Highlights that it only occurs during that particular phase or step.

not previously

Highlights the absence of something before the designated time.

not hitherto

Uses more formal language to indicate 'not before now'.

exclusively at that juncture

Emphasizes the specific timing and uses more formal language.

FAQs

How can I use "not until that point" in a sentence?

Use "not until that point" to indicate that something did not or will not happen before a specific time or event. For example, "The company did "not see profit" "not until that point" when it expanded its marketing efforts."

What phrases are similar to "not until that point"?

Alternatives include "only then", "not before then", or "only at that time". Each option offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "not until that point"?

Yes, "not until that point" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing. The key is to ensure that the point being referenced is clear to the reader.

What is the difference between "not until that point" and "until that point"?

"Not until that point" implies that something did not happen before, whereas "until that point" simply indicates the duration up to a specific time without necessarily implying a negative condition.