until the point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'until the point' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express something that happened up to a certain point in a timeline. For example, "I worked diligently all morning until the point when I started to feel tired and needed a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Addicts reuse them until the point becomes painfully blunt.

The New York Times

"I know it's his intention to write until the point that seems right [to stop].

Independent

We value convenience over security, right up until the point where that security is breached.

Independent

Yes, right up until the point where someone shoots you in the head.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Up until the point of death, the mice were creating fresh neurons.

The New York Times - Sports

"I remember everything that happened up until the point where I was knocked out," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And they must run those ads again and again, until the point sinks in".

The New York Times

Robin said Lubitz could be heard breathing right up until the point of impact.

The Guardian

At least until the point in time when they come with the pitchforks".

The New Yorker

You made my life a living hell, up until the point when I even contemplated suicide.

The Guardian

Until the point he was stopped, his life had been unremarkable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally replacing "until the point" with alternatives like "up to that moment" or "until that stage" to enhance readability and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "until the point" without clearly establishing what the 'point' refers to. For instance, instead of saying, "I worked until the point", specify "I worked "until the deadline"" or "I worked "until I felt exhausted"" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until the point" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause specifying a time or condition serving as a temporal boundary. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "until the point" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify a temporal or conditional boundary. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in both formal and informal writing, particularly in Science and News & Media contexts. When using "until the point", ensure that the 'point' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Remember that while variations such as "up to that moment" or "until that stage" offer similar meanings, they might subtly alter the emphasis or formality of your sentence. Overall, "until the point" is a valuable phrase for expressing temporal limitations with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to then

A more concise way to refer to all time preceding a specified point.

till then

A more casual alternative to "up to then", suitable for informal contexts.

up to that moment

Focuses on a specific moment as the limit, rather than a duration.

up to the time when

Specifies a time-related event that marks the end of a period.

until that stage

Highlights a particular phase or step in a process as the boundary.

until that juncture

Emphasizes a critical or decisive moment as the ending point.

before that time

Indicates a period preceding a specific time, offering a more general temporal reference.

leading up to that point

Describes the period immediately preceding a notable event or decision.

prior to that instance

Highlights a single occurrence as the limit, adding a touch of formality.

until such time as

Introduces a condition that, when met, ends the duration.

FAQs

How can I use "until the point" in a sentence?

Use "until the point" to indicate a duration leading up to a specific moment or event. For example, "I studied hard "until the point I understood the concept"" or "He practiced daily "until the point of perfection"".

What are some alternatives to "until the point"?

Alternatives include "up to that moment", "until that stage", or "up to then". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "until the point that" or "until the point when"?

Both "until the point that" and "until the point when" are grammatically correct, but "until the point when" is generally used when referring to a specific time or event, whereas "until the point that" is used to refer to a condition or a circumstance.

What's the difference between "until" and "until the point"?

"Until" is a simpler and more direct way to express a time limit. "Until the point" adds emphasis or clarifies a specific circumstance marking the end of the period. For example, "I waited "until 6pm"" versus "I waited "until the point when the train arrived"".