until this late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until this late" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to refer to a time that is later than expected or usual, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I didn't expect to be working until this late in the evening."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do this until 12 00.

WikiHow

This continued until 1956.

Forbes

This lasted until September 1941.

Wikipedia

This arrangement continued until 1736.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was true until 20 months ago.

Science Magazine

This activity lasted until January 2008.

Wikipedia

This policy continued until 1999.

Wikipedia

This school operated until 1889.

Wikipedia

This format lasted until 1993.

Wikipedia

This occupied him until March 1919.

Wikipedia

This situation existed until August 25.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "until this late" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "until this hour" or "until now" to maintain precision and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Relying on "until this late" can make your writing sound unnatural or confusing. Ensure clarity by choosing more conventional expressions, especially in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until this late" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a duration or point in time. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until this late" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI confirms its uncommon and awkward nature. Therefore, it's advisable to use alternatives like "until this hour" or "until now" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy, especially in formal or professional contexts. The phrase is best avoided in writing to maintain precision and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to this hour

Replaces "late" with "hour" maintaining the reference to the current time, but slightly changing the nuance.

until this hour

Using 'hour' instead of 'late' provides a more formal tone while still referring to the present time.

up to this time

Substitutes "late" with "time", making the phrase more general and less specific about the lateness.

until now

Offers a simpler, more direct way to indicate continuation to the present moment without specifying lateness.

up to the present

Similar to "until now", but slightly more formal and emphasizes the current moment.

until this moment

Highlights a specific point in time, similar to 'until now', but with a focus on the present instant.

until this very moment

Emphasizes the immediacy of the present, adding intensity to the phrase.

not before now

Indicates that something did not occur before the current time, shifting the focus to the past.

previously

Refers to something that happened at an earlier time, providing a backward-looking perspective.

before today

Specifies that something occurred at any point prior to the current day, broadening the scope.

FAQs

What is a more appropriate way to say "until this late"?

Consider using alternatives like "until this hour", "until now", or "up to this time" depending on the context. These options offer better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "until this late" grammatically correct?

No, "until this late" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use alternative phrasings such as "until this hour" or "this late at night".

When is it acceptable to use "until this late"?

While not recommended in formal writing, "until this late" might be used in informal speech or certain regional dialects. However, for clear communication, it's best to choose more standard expressions.

Are there specific contexts where "until this late" is more common?

The phrase "until this late" does not have widespread usage in any specific context. It's generally advisable to use clearer and more conventional alternatives across different situations.