until

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'until' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'until' to describe how long a situation has been going on: I haven't heard from her until now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wake up around 4am and if I've got a bus pass I get on the night bus and sleep there until morning.

The Guardian

That lot will do anything to avoid working until retirement".

The Guardian

I will continue to exercise my functions as Fifa president until that election".

The Guardian - Sport

Nazarbayev permitted a relatively high degree of political activity until the emergence of a reform movement called Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, backed by several wealthy business people, in late 2001.

The Guardian

The palace source added: "It is the tradition now that after the general election the Queen is at Windsor until such a time as someone is able to form a new government.

The Guardian

Clinton said on Tuesday she supported the swift release of her emails amid reports that the State Department would not publicly release them all until January 2016.

The Guardian

We have to acknowledge that pre-1788, this land was as Aboriginal then as it is Australian now and until we have acknowledged that, we will be an incomplete nation and a torn people.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But the electoral reality is that we will not win outright Conservative majorities until we start attracting more of the ethnic vote".

The Guardian

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

Until 2009, Turkmenistan's chief gas export partner was Russia.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland secretary John Reid has until Saturday night to find a compromise between Sinn Fein and David Trimble's Ulster Unionists on decommissioning, police reform and demilitarisation, or again suspend the assembly (either indefinitely or for six weeks) or call fresh elections.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until", clearly define the endpoint or condition that will terminate the described situation or action. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "until" to describe a situation that ended before a past reference point. For example, instead of "I didn't know until yesterday", consider "I didn't know until yesterday morning", "I didn't know before yesterday" or "I only found out yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The word "until" functions as a preposition and a conjunction. As a preposition, it indicates a time up to which something happens. As a conjunction, it connects clauses specifying a time limit or condition, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until" is a versatile term functioning as both a preposition and a conjunction, predominantly used to specify temporal limits or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and broad usability. It maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Keep in mind to clearly define the endpoint when using "until" to ensure clarity, and avoid using it to describe events ended before the reference point. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "until" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

till

A direct synonym of "until", widely interchangeable in most contexts.

up until

Emphasizes the duration leading to a specific point in time.

up to

Indicates a limit in time or quantity, similar to "until", but can also refer to a numerical or spatial boundary.

lasting until

Emphasizes the duration or continuation of something to a certain point.

prior to

Focuses on the period preceding an event or time, often used in formal contexts.

before

Indicates a time preceding an event, without necessarily implying a continuous duration.

pending

Highlights that something is waiting to happen before another action can occur.

through

Indicates the duration from the beginning to the end of a period.

extending to

Implies a physical or abstract reach that lasts up to a specific point.

throughout

Describes an action or state that occurs continuously during a specified period.

FAQs

How do I use "until" in a sentence?

"Until" is used to indicate the duration of an action or state, specifying when it will end. For example, "I will wait "until 5pm"" or "The store is open "until midnight"".

What can I say instead of "until"?

Alternatives to "until" include "till", "up to", or "before", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "until" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "until", especially when introducing a condition or timeframe. For example, "Until you try, you'll never know".

What is the difference between "until" and "unless"?

"Until" refers to a period of time, indicating when something will stop. "Unless" introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen. For example, "I'll wait "until 5pm"" (time) versus "I won't go "unless it rains"" (condition).