until they come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until they come" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase either as part of a clause or sentence to indicate that something will happen (or has already happened) up until the arrival of "them". For example, "We will be waiting here until they come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm holding it down until they come".

The New York Times

BIND-014 particles circulate until they come across a tumour.

The Economist

"Everybody criticizes Davos until they come," Mr. Kirk said.

The New York Times

You won't know who they are until they come forward.

The Guardian

"I have to hold on until they come back".

The New York Times

"I'll keep pitching until they come take the ball away".

The New York Times - Sports

"Nobody's going to get it until they come here," Mr. Gehry said in an interview.

The New York Times

Until they come to be judged, Neil's entire family life must be considered a failure.

The New York Times

That the men dress as women until they come of age.

The New Yorker

"People may not know how interested they are until they come," Ms. Mittelbach said.

The New York Times - Arts

I would like to carry on until they come round and write the death certificate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until they come", ensure the context clearly defines who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid placing long or complex clauses between "until" and "they come", as it can make the sentence difficult to read. Keep the phrase as close together as possible for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until they come" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main verb by specifying when an action or state continues up to. This aligns with Ludwig's examples demonstrating the temporal nature of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until they come" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial clause of time. Ludwig AI indicates that it is widely accepted and functions to specify a waiting period or condition before the arrival of a defined group. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for varied contexts. To ensure clarity, the phrase benefits from a clear reference to who "they" represents. Alternatives such as "till their arrival" or "until they arrive" offer subtle variations in formality. Remember to avoid misplaced modifiers to maintain readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until they get here

Simple and direct, pinpointing the destination as the primary focus.

till their arrival

Emphasizes the endpoint as the specific moment of arrival, maintaining a similar level of formality.

until they are present

Highlights the state of being there, suggesting a focus on participation or engagement.

until their appearance

Focuses on the visual manifestation of their presence, adding a sense of visibility.

pending their arrival

Formal and concise, emphasizes a scheduled or anticipated event.

until they show up

More informal, suggesting a casual or unexpected coming.

until they reach us

Highlights the act of reaching a specific destination or group, emphasizing connection.

until their return

Implies a prior departure and a subsequent comeback, adding a cyclical element.

until they materialize

Adds an element of mystery or uncertainty, as if their coming is not guaranteed.

until their presence is felt

Expands beyond physical arrival, suggesting an influence or impact is awaited.

FAQs

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

Use "until they come" to indicate a duration or condition that lasts up to the point of their arrival. For example, "We will wait here "until they come"."

What are some alternatives to "until they come"?

Alternatives include "till their arrival", "until they arrive", or "until they get here", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "until they arrive" rather than "until they come"?

"Until they arrive" is generally considered slightly more formal than ""until they come"", but both are acceptable in most contexts.

Can "until they come" be used in both past and future tenses?

Yes, ""until they come"" can be used in both past and future tenses. For example, "We waited until they came" (past) or "We will wait until they come" (future).