till now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "till now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a point in time up to the present moment. Example: "Till now, I have not received any updates regarding the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Till now.

The New Yorker

Till now we haven't heard from Morsi.

The Guardian

Till now, I've always said Bill Clinton.

The Guardian - Opinion

Till now it's been chemically formulated targets.

The New York Times - Health

Till now, kurtosis was preferred as criterion for IFB search.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Till now, meritocracy has, in practice, surged ahead.

Independent

Till now, no quake had killed many people since 1931.

The Economist

Till now they were colleagues.

BBC

'Till now, of course.

TechCrunch

Till now TCS, though big, was stodgy.

Forbes

Till now, two arguments have been arisen.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "till now" to clearly indicate that a situation has persisted up to the present moment, implying a potential change in the future.

Common error

Avoid using "till now" when referring to events concluded entirely in the past; instead, opt for past tense constructions or phrases like "previously" or "before now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "till now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of a state or action up to the present moment. Ludwig confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "till now" is a versatile adverbial phrase indicating a duration up to the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. While "until now" is a more formal alternative, "till now" is common in news, science, and general communication. To use it effectively, ensure you are indicating continuity up to the present, avoiding its use for entirely past events. Consider alternatives like "so far" or "to date" depending on the specific nuance and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Until now

Replaces "till" with "until", offering a slightly more formal alternative while retaining the same meaning.

Up to now

Substitutes "till" with "up to", providing a common and almost perfectly interchangeable option.

To date

A more concise and slightly formal alternative, suitable for business or academic contexts.

So far

A common and versatile substitute, often used to indicate a current status or outcome.

Thus far

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, implying a sense of progress or development.

Up until this point

A more descriptive and emphatic alternative, highlighting a specific moment in time.

As of yet

Similar to "till now" but implies that a change or resolution is anticipated.

Before now

Simple and direct replacement, suitable in informal contexts

Hitherto

A very formal and less common alternative, typically found in academic or legal writing.

Previously

Indicates a state before the current time, suitable when emphasizing past conditions.

FAQs

What does "till now" mean?

"Till now" means up to the present time. It indicates that a situation or condition has been ongoing until the current moment.

What can I say instead of "till now"?

You can use alternatives like "until now", "up to now", or "so far" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "till now"?

Yes, "till now" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. However, "until now" is often considered more formal.

How does "till now" differ from "previously"?

"Till now" indicates a situation continuing to the present, while "previously" refers to a time entirely in the past, with no implication of continuation.