until his death

USAGE SUMMARY

"until his death" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific point in time when something happened or will happen. Here is an example: John worked tirelessly until his death, never taking a break or slowing down.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

until his death in 1926.

The New Yorker

The marriage endured until his death.

Independent

He went on working until his death.

The Economist

They would continue until his death.

The New York Times - Arts

He retained that position until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Until his death, Blake maintained supercelebrity status.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kublai held him prisoner until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He maintained his innocence until his death.

Independent

Pilates himself continued teaching until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He held the post until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He held the position until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until his death", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or state continued up to that point to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing descriptive phrases too far from the subject they modify. For example, instead of saying 'He worked on the project diligently, securing funding until his death', clarify: 'He worked diligently on the project and secured funding until his death'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until his death" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the temporal endpoint of an action or state, indicating it continued up to the time of the person's demise. Ludwig's examples confirm that this phrase is commonly used to denote duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

27%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until his death" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to indicate the duration of an action or state extending to the moment of someone's passing. Its straightforward nature makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and academic writing. While generally neutral in tone, writers may opt for more euphemistic alternatives depending on the audience and sensitivity required. Remember to ensure clear sentence structure to avoid ambiguity and utilize the phrase to provide precise temporal context. The examples provided by Ludwig underscore its versatility in conveying biographical and historical information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to the time of his death

Emphasizes the duration leading to the moment of death.

until he passed away

A more euphemistic way to indicate the same timeframe.

to the end of his life

Focuses on the terminal point of the person's lifespan.

before his passing

Refers to the period preceding someone's death.

through the remainder of his life

Indicates the remaining part of someone's existence.

throughout his remaining life

Highlights the entirety of the person's life from a specific point.

till his last breath

Emphasizes the very end of someone's life.

for the rest of his days

Emphasizes the remaining period of the individual's existence.

during his lifetime

Highlights activities or events occurring anytime before death.

in his final years

Concentrates on the period nearing the end of life.

FAQs

How can I use "until his death" in a sentence?

The phrase "until his death" indicates a duration that extends to the moment someone dies. For example, "He remained chairman "until his death"."

What are some alternatives to saying "until his death"?

You can use phrases like "up to the time of his death", "throughout his remaining life", or "to the end of his life" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "until his death" in formal writing?

Yes, "until his death" is appropriate for formal writing. While not overly formal, it is a clear and direct way to indicate a period of time that lasts until someone's passing. More euphemistic phrases like "until he passed away" may be preferred in sensitive contexts.

What's the difference between "until his death" and "after his death"?

"Until his death" refers to the period leading up to the moment of death, while "after his death" refers to events or circumstances that occur subsequently. For instance, 'He worked "until his death", and his legacy continued after his death'.