until they obtain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until they obtain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or a time frame in which something will happen, specifically until a certain goal or item is achieved. Example: "The team will continue to work on the project until they obtain the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

These call for physicians to practice on a simulator until they obtain a level of proficiency comparable to that of an expert.

The New Yorker

Typical expert queries are usually carefully defined and incrementally developed until they obtain what look to be good results to the user.

Stanford University

One state, New Jersey, requires novice drivers under 21 to display a new-driver decal until they obtain a full-privilege license.

The New York Times

According to the FDA, manufacturers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco cigarette alternatives may not make "therapeutic" claims about their products unless and until they obtain FDA approval as medical drugs or devices.

The Washington Post

Although they cannot be employed until they obtain work permits or become legal residents of the United States, they will be performing in "The Nutcracker" this season on various stages, beginning on Saturday when Ms. Almeida dances with the South Florida Ballet Theater in Hollywood.

The New York Times

The provisions on this last point are immaterial here, as the case arises upon an order of the commission under section 5 that the plaintiffs in error desist from transportation of property as above unless and until they obtain the certificate required, and by the terms of the statute every section and claim in it is independent of the validity of all the rest.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The Celtics drafted Pierce in 1998 but did not become champions until they obtained Garnett and Allen in a pair of 2007 trades.

The New York Times

They dealt with the problem by expelling the Socialists Revolutionaries and Mensheviks from the soviets and forcing reelections until they obtained the desired majorities.

Britannica

The authorities have said that Mr. Kee was a suspect in the rapes and murders for a long time, but that they did not have enough evidence to arrest him until they obtained the DNA samples.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, the country's generals — mindful of the casualties suffered as part of the peacekeeping forces in the early 1990's in Bosnia, where France lost more troops than any other contributor, and in southern Lebanon in 1983 — resisted a strong commitment until they obtained certain guarantees from the parties to the conflict and from the United Nations.

The New York Times

Ministers blamed the Treasury for the delay, saying they could not prepare regulations until they obtained figures from the chancellor's Autumn Statement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until they obtain", ensure the context clearly defines who "they" refers to and what is being obtained. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "until they obtain" when a simpler verb like "get" or "receive" would be more appropriate. "Obtain" often implies effort or a formal process, so use it when that nuance is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until they obtain" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies the condition or timeframe for the action in the main clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "until they obtain" functions as a temporal conjunction, setting a condition for an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically sound and versatile, it is used across various domains like news, science and wikis. While generally neutral to formal, the choice of "obtain" suggests a deliberate or effortful process. Remember to clearly define who "they" are and what is being "obtained" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "until they receive" or "until they get" for different nuances. In summary, "until they obtain" is a useful phrase for specifying conditions, but careful consideration of context is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until they receive

Focuses on the action of receiving something, rather than the broader concept of obtaining.

until they acquire

Emphasizes the process of gaining possession of something.

until they secure

Highlights the effort involved in making something certain or safe.

until they procure

More formal and emphasizes the effort or means used to obtain something.

until they get

More informal and general, using "get" instead of "obtain".

until they achieve

Highlights the successful accomplishment of a goal or result.

until they are granted

Emphasizes that someone else is giving them something.

until they earn

Focuses on the idea that something is obtained through effort or merit.

until they come into possession of

A longer, more formal way of saying "until they obtain".

until they collect

Implies gathering or accumulating something over time.

FAQs

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

Use "until they obtain" to indicate a condition that must be met before a certain action can occur. For example, "The researchers will continue their experiments until they obtain conclusive results."

What are some alternatives to "until they obtain"?

You can use alternatives like "until they receive", "until they get", or "until they acquire" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "get" or "obtain"?

"Obtain" is generally more formal than "get". Use "obtain" when the context involves a formal or deliberate process of acquiring something. "Get" is suitable for more informal situations.

What's the difference between "until they obtain" and "once they obtain"?

"Until they obtain" emphasizes the duration of a situation leading up to the point of obtaining something. "Once they obtain" focuses on the state or action immediately following the act of obtaining something. The subtle differences between the two may allow for a more compelling sentence structure depending on the context of the user's work.