until they arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until they arrive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an action or event that will happen in the future, following the arrival of a person (or people). For example, "We'll have to wait until they arrive before we can start the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Until they arrive, pass the painkiller, please.

The Guardian

At night CAMHS staff often suggest admitting them under paediatrics until they arrive in the morning.

The Guardian - Opinion

First-time diners be warned: there is no indication that the kitchen serves these gigantic servings until they arrive.

The New York Times

For example, the authors walk you through what happens from the time you place an order to buy mutual fund shares until they arrive in your account.

The New York Times

Dressed in baggy black suits, and with battered leather briefcases, they tramp through the countryside until they arrive at the house of their next clients.

Independent

They are not seen again until they arrive as larger juveniles in shallow coastal waters, where they dine on seagrass and algae.

The New York Times - Science

Most girls don't know the extent of their debt until they arrive in Italy, when they are told that they owe as much as eighty thousand euros.

The New Yorker

Michelin is rigorously tight-lipped about the information in its guides until they arrive in stores, and requires similar discretion from its reviewers, who are anonymous.

The New York Times

Those checks could provide at least a temporary stimulus, but until they arrive, the slowdown in spending appears to be nationwide.

The New York Times

In 80% of patients the cancer is not identified until they arrive in hospital as an emergency admission, by which time it is hard to treat them.

The Guardian

And, as far as cops, my feeling was: What am I supposed to do, wait until he's back in my house, then call the cops and hope he stays facing my kids' room, in his shorts, until they arrive?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until they arrive" to clearly indicate the timeframe before a group or person's arrival, ensuring that the sentence specifies an action or state that continues up to that point.

Common error

Avoid using "since they arrive" when you mean "until they arrive". "Since" implies a duration from a past event to the present, while "until" specifies an end point in the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until they arrive" functions as an adverbial clause of time, specifying the duration of a situation or action up to the point of someone's arrival. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until they arrive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as an adverbial clause of time. It is employed across a variety of contexts, most notably in News & Media, to indicate a duration leading up to someone's arrival. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage. When writing, it's important to use "until" correctly to avoid confusing it with similar terms like "since". Consider alternatives such as "before their arrival" for varied expression. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before their arrival

Replaces the conjunction "until" with "before" and uses a possessive pronoun.

leading up to their arrival

Emphasizes the period preceding the arrival.

in anticipation of their arrival

Highlights the expectation and preparation for their arrival.

pending their arrival

Indicates that something is waiting to happen and is conditional on their arrival.

until their coming

Uses a more formal or literary term for arrival.

prior to them getting here

Uses a more informal and conversational tone.

before they are here

States a simple condition of being before their presence.

in advance of them arriving

Indicates the time frame before their arrival.

while awaiting their arrival

Focuses on the act of waiting for their arrival.

till they show up

Employs a casual expression meaning to arrive.

FAQs

How can I use "until they arrive" in a sentence?

Use "until they arrive" to specify a condition or action that lasts up to the moment a group of people gets to a certain place. For example, "We should wait "until they arrive" before opening the presents."

What can I say instead of "until they arrive"?

You can use alternatives like "before their arrival", "leading up to their arrival", or "pending their arrival" depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to say "until they arrive"?

Yes, a more formal way to express the same idea is "prior to their arrival" or "in anticipation of their arrival".

What's the difference between "until they arrive" and "when they arrive"?

"Until they arrive" implies a duration or a waiting period. "When they arrive" refers to a specific point in time and is used to state what happens at that exact moment. For example, "We are bored waiting "until they arrive"" vs "We will start dinner when they arrive".