though until now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though until now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a contrast or exception that has existed up to the present moment. Example: "She had always been shy, though until now, she had never spoken in public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He had been arrested before, the prosecutor said, though, until now, the charges had always been dropped.

The New York Times

Both companies remained mum about any acquisition, though, until now.

TechCrunch

We have not though, until now, identified what this means to us.

HuffPost

Fatalism has always been a part of Anohni's work, though until now this sense of melancholy was directed inward.

The New Yorker

The Marines also require all men and women to pass an annual combat fitness test, even though until now women were not officially permitted in combat.

The New York Times

That's the lucky hand Éamonn Fitzmaurice has been dealt as Kerry senior manager, though until now he has been surprisingly slow to actually play it.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He didn't run for election, though, and until now had been satisfied with that.

The New York Times

Chances are, though, that until now you will have been hazy about how all these lives link up.

The Guardian - Books

The passage of time does worry him, though, for, until now, he has published a novel only once every five years.

The Guardian - Books

Until now, though, her voice has remained remarkably consistent.

The New York Times - Books

Until now, though, there has always been a roadblock: Sony.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though until now" to clearly indicate a situation that has been true up to the present, but might change in the future. It adds a sense of temporal limitation and potential shift.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "though until now" can sometimes sound slightly awkward in very formal writing. Consider alternatives like "however, hitherto" or "nonetheless, to date" for a smoother, more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though until now" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a clause that contrasts with a previous statement, while also indicating a time limitation up to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "though until now" is a grammatically sound conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast or exception that has been valid up to the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and exhibits a neutral to professional register. When writing, consider that while acceptable, alternatives may be more appropriate in highly formal contexts. Examples available through Ludwig highlight its usage across varied sources like the New York Times, The Guardian and TechCrunch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not up to this point

Replaces "though until now" with a more direct expression of limitation until the present moment.

however, not thus far

Substitutes "though" with "however" and "until now" with "not thus far", providing a formal tone.

yet, hitherto

Uses "yet" to replace "though" and "hitherto" in place of "until now", offering a more concise and slightly archaic alternative.

albeit, not previously

Replaces "though" with "albeit" and "until now" with "not previously", adding a level of formality.

even so, up to the present

Employs "even so" for "though" and "up to the present" to convey "until now", creating a clearer, more emphatic contrast.

nonetheless, up until now

Maintains a similar structure but replaces "though" with "nonetheless", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

despite that, so far

Shifts the focus by using "despite that" instead of "though", and "so far" in lieu of "until now", creating a less formal tone.

in spite of everything, thus far

Strengthens the contrast using "in spite of everything" and retains a formal tone with "thus far".

be that as it may, to date

Offers a more idiomatic and somewhat antiquated alternative using "be that as it may" and "to date".

even though, prior to this moment

Rephrases "though" as "even though" and "until now" as "prior to this moment", emphasizing the temporal aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "though until now" in a sentence?

Use "though until now" to introduce a contrast to a statement that was true up to the present moment. For example, "The project faced numerous setbacks, "though until now" it has remained within budget."

What are some alternatives to "though until now"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "however not thus far", "yet hitherto", or "nonetheless up until now". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it correct to say "although until now"?

While grammatically understandable, "although until now" is less common and can sound slightly redundant. "Though until now" is more concise and generally preferred.

What's the difference between "though until now" and "but until now"?

"Though until now" implies a contrast with a preceding statement, while "but until now" typically introduces a new or unexpected element. "Though" sets up a concession, while "but" signals a more direct contradiction or change of direction.