until this hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until this hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific point in time up to the present moment, often in contexts discussing events or actions that have occurred or continued until now. Example: "I have been waiting for your response until this hour, and I hope to hear from you soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Glass stepped out of the elevator into the apartment, and his wife came from the shadows quickly, as if to forestall him, and asked in a low voice, sounding tense and cross, where he had been until this hour.

The New York Times - Magazine

Black American music, Baldwin wrote, "begins on the auction block": "Whoever pretends that the slave mother does not weep, until this hour, for her slaughtered son, that the son does not weep for his slaughtered father... — whoever cannot face this can never pay the price for the beat which is the key to music, and the key to life".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Repeat this until the hours stretch into days, then weeks.

The Guardian - Film

Anyway, Energizer has brought the battery charger into the 21st century by adding an LCD display that shows current charge level and, get this, hours left until a full charge.

TechCrunch

"We wait until that hour," Mr. Choy explained.

The New York Times - Style

The dish can be done up until this point an hour, a day, or even a couple of days before you eat it; it only improves with time.

The New York Times - Food

"I didn't decide on this one until an hour ago".

The New York Times

Already, one of the top comments on Place read, "I give this an hour until swastikas".

The New Yorker

"How could you not have known this until the 11th hour?" Curry asked.

Huffington Post

Keep doing this every hour until there is no syrup left to brush on the pieces.

WikiHow

Busy with catering and the folding chairs, Mira had failed to think of this until two hours before the bris.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until this hour" to emphasize a duration leading precisely to the current moment, especially when conveying surprise, frustration, or a sense of culmination. For example, "I've been searching for this book until this hour!"

Common error

Avoid using "until this hour" in everyday conversation. It can sound overly formal or even theatrical. Opt for simpler alternatives like "until now" or "so far" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until this hour" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, specifying the duration of an action or state leading up to the present moment. Ludwig confirms its use in indicating a time frame that extends to the current instance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until this hour" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a duration leading up to the present moment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Though relatively formal, it's primarily found in news and media, and less so in casual contexts. Be mindful of its tone and consider simpler alternatives in everyday conversation. Use it to emphasize the continuity of something up to the current instant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to this point

Replaces "until this hour" with a focus on the progression to the current moment.

until now

A shorter and more common way to express the same idea.

thus far

A slightly more formal alternative indicating the time leading up to now.

to date

Similar to "until now", but often used in business or formal contexts.

until this very moment

Emphasizes the immediacy of the present.

up until the present time

A more verbose way of expressing the same meaning, emphasizing the current moment.

prior to this hour

A formal alternative, replacing "until" with "prior to".

hitherto

A more archaic and formal synonym for "until now".

before this moment

Focuses on the contrast between the past and the present.

before the current time

A descriptive alternative, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

FAQs

What does "until this hour" mean?

The phrase "until this hour" means up to the present time or moment. It emphasizes that something has continued or been true up to now. It is similar in meaning to "until now" or "up to this point".

When should I use "until this hour"?

Use "until this hour" when you want to emphasize that something has persisted or been ongoing right up to the present moment. However, be mindful that it can sound somewhat formal or dramatic, so it is best suited for situations where that tone is appropriate. Alternatives include "to date".

What are some alternatives to "until this hour"?

Some common alternatives to "until this hour" include "until now", "up to this point", "to date", and "thus far". The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

Is "until this hour" formal or informal?

"Until this hour" is generally considered to be a relatively formal phrase. In many situations, simpler alternatives like "until now" or "so far" may be more appropriate, especially in casual conversation.