until they get here

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until they get here" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or condition that lasts until a specific event occurs, in this case, the arrival of a person or group. Example: "We can start the meeting until they get here, so everyone is present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Let's wait until they get here for that," she said.

The New Yorker

Mr. Malvo then said, "Because the lawyers told me don't talk until they get here".

The New York Times

"I send a note to every student," Professor Elmore said, "suggesting they hold off if they are about to buy something until they get here".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We didn't tell them where they'd be walking until they got here".

The New York Times

You didn't even know their last name until they got here".

The Guardian - Travel

"It touches my heart that kids see something in me that makes them want to stay here until they get out of high school.

The New York Times

"Everything's taken on its merits and I think it's good for all our kids to be here until they get through to the first team and play well enough to be challenging for a first team at a higher level".

BBC

When you're growing up, people say, yes, I wanted to win Wimbledon, but they don't really understand what that means until you get here and you're playing in the event".

The Guardian - Sport

Until you get here".

The New York Times

You don't know until you get here.

The New York Times

"A lot of people don't really know about the W.B.C. until you get here," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until they get here" to clearly indicate that an action or decision is pending the arrival of specific individuals. This helps ensure everyone involved is present and informed.

Common error

Avoid using "until they get here" when the location is ambiguous. Ensure that the context clearly defines what "here" refers to, or specify the location to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until they get here" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action or state will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until they get here" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a waiting period before an action can occur, contingent on someone's arrival. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples, shows its versatility across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, ensuring clarity regarding the location ("here") is crucial for effective communication. Consider alternatives such as "until they arrive" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until they arrive

Substitutes "get here" with the verb "arrive".

till they reach here

Replaces 'get' with 'reach', adding slight emphasis on the destination.

till their arrival

Replaces "get here" with a more formal noun phrase.

until they make it here

Uses a more colloquial expression to denote arrival.

until their coming

Uses a gerund form of "come" to replace "get here".

until they show up

Employs a more informal phrasal verb.

until they are here

More emphatic way of expressing presence.

until they're present

Focuses on their presence rather than arrival.

until their appearance

Substitutes the action with a more general noun.

awaiting their arrival

Changes the structure to a participial phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "until they get here" in a sentence?

You can use "until they get here" to indicate a waiting period before an action or decision. For example, "We can't start the presentation "until they get here", so let's wait a few more minutes."

What's a more formal alternative to "until they get here"?

A more formal alternative is "until they arrive". This substitutes the informal "get here" with the more sophisticated "arrive", making it suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "till they get here" the same as "until they get here"?

"Till" and "until" are often interchangeable, so "till they get here" carries the same meaning as "until they get here". "Until" is generally considered slightly more formal.

Can I use "until they're here" instead of "until they get here"?

Yes, you can use "until they are here" as a substitute. This alternative emphasizes their presence at the location rather than the act of arriving, but the meaning remains largely the same.