until latterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until latterly" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or outdated.
It can be used to indicate a time frame leading up to a recent point, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "The project had been progressing smoothly until latterly, when unforeseen challenges arose."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Until latterly, he was a keen horseman, and golf was a more recent enthusiasm, shared with his wife, which made him further friends in his home area of Tunbridge Wells.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 1970 my father, John Rex, who has died aged 86, founded the sociology department at the University of Warwick, where he was research professor on ethnic relations from 1984 until 1990 (latterly emeritus).

The Guardian

Thelnetham windmill worked by wind power until 1924, latterly on two sails, after which it became derelict.

Wikipedia

In January 1897 Stevens became the managing director of Trafford Park Estates, where he remained until 1930, latterly as its joint chairman and managing director.

Wikipedia

Nevertheless, he's been commuting for a decade, first to Germany and Italy for Jil Sander, where he designed both the men's and women's line from 2005 until February 2012, and latterly for Christian Dior.

Independent

Another of his favourite female vocalists was Ronnie Spector – formerly known as Veronica Bennett, lead singer of girl group the Ronettes until 1967, and latterly married to American producer Phil Spector.

Wikipedia

He remained in his post until the summer of 1946, latterly concerned with the repatriation of the West Indian workers at the end of the war.

Wikipedia

He remained at the Museum until his retirement in 1990, latterly as Deputy Keeper of botany.

Independent

Having retained the rights to his earlier designs, he carried on producing furniture to order until as recently as 2005, latterly mainly for Russell & Bromley, his most loyal and longstanding client, where his furniture is still in use in some stores.

The Guardian - Arts

She had lived with her mother, sister and latterly her brother George, until his death in 2001.

Independent

It was amalgamated with The Westminster (as The London and Westminster Review) in 1836, and Mill continued as editor (latterly as proprietor, also) until 1840.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, pair "until" with a specific time frame and follow with "latterly" to denote what has occurred closest to the present. Example: "He worked there until 2020, latterly as a consultant."

Common error

Avoid using "until latterly" in informal contexts. It can sound stilted or unnatural in casual conversation or writing. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "until recently" or "up to now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until latterly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state up to a recent point in time. The example provided by Ludwig shows that "until latterly" is used to specify a period that extended up to a certain point.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until latterly" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon way to express "until recently". Ludwig shows its use in news articles and encyclopedic entries. While not incorrect, "until latterly" can sound slightly stilted in modern English; consider using "until recently" or "up until now" as more common alternatives for clearer communication. Ludwig AI underscores that its primary function is to emphasize a recent change, making it suitable for more formal or written contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until recently

Emphasizes the recent change or end of a situation.

up until now

Highlights the continuity leading to the present moment.

heretofore

A more formal way to indicate 'up to this point'.

previously

Indicates a state or action before the current one.

in the past

A general way to refer to a time before the present.

before now

Simply indicates a time before the present moment.

up to then

Refers to a specific point in the past that something was true.

until that time

Similar to "up to then" but slightly more formal.

formerly

Describes a previous state or condition.

in earlier times

Emphasizes a more distant past.

FAQs

What does "until latterly" mean?

The phrase "until latterly" means up to a recent point in time. It's similar to saying "until recently" or "up until now", indicating something was true or ongoing before a recent change.

How can I use "until latterly" in a sentence?

You can use "until latterly" to describe a situation that was ongoing until recently. For example: "The project was successful until latterly, when budget cuts were implemented."

What are some alternatives to "until latterly"?

Alternatives to "until latterly" include "until recently", "up until now", or "previously". Choose the alternative that best fits the context of your sentence.

Is "until latterly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "until latterly" is grammatically correct, although it is not a commonly used phrase. It is more formal and less common than alternatives like "until recently".