until this point

USAGE SUMMARY

"until this point" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a point in time that has passed before the current moment in a sentence. For example: "We had been discussing the issue for an hour, but until this point, nobody had managed to come up with a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's ignored us until this point.

The New York Times

At least until this point.

The New York Times - Sports

I use my mixer until this point.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I can't change anything that's happened until this point".

The New York Times - Sports

"Toilet paper, up until this point, always just existed".

The New York Times

"I actually didn't even realize how much until this point.

The New Yorker

"He hadn't been available up until this point.

The New York Times

Until this point, Melehi's work had been austere.

The Guardian - Arts

It's about the time we started up until this point.

The Guardian

Her opposition was, until this point, relatively quiet.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Up until this point, they have been afraid".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until this point" to clearly mark a shift in time or a change in circumstances, ensuring the reader understands the temporal relationship between events.

Common error

Avoid using "until this point" in very simple sentences where the temporal relationship is already clear. Simpler alternatives like "until now" or "previously" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until this point" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify a temporal boundary. It indicates a time up to which something was true or a state existed, before a change occurred, similar to the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until this point" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to mark a temporal boundary and highlight a transition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, notably news, academia, and science. While alternatives like ""until now"" exist, understanding the nuance of "until this point" allows for precise communication. Just remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences for clarity and impact. This phrase serves as a valuable tool for effectively conveying temporal relationships in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until now

Simplifies the phrase by omitting "this", maintaining the core meaning.

up to now

Replaces "this point" with "now", focusing on the present moment as the cutoff.

prior to this

A concise and formal way to express the same temporal relationship.

thus far

A more formal alternative, indicating the extent of something up to the present.

up until then

Shifts the reference to a past point in time indicated by "then".

previous to this

Emphasizes the preceding nature of the events or conditions.

before this moment

Rephrases the point in time as a specific moment, adding emphasis.

until this juncture

Replaces "point" with "juncture", suggesting a critical or significant moment.

leading up to this

Focuses on the events or circumstances that preceded the current point.

heretofore

A more archaic and formal synonym, less commonly used in modern English.

FAQs

How can I use "until this point" in a sentence?

"Until this point" is typically used to indicate a change or realization that occurs after a certain duration. For instance, "We had no issues with the system, but "until this point", we hadn't processed such a large amount of data."

What are some alternatives to "until this point"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "until now", "up to now", or "thus far" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to include "this" in the phrase "until this point"?

No, omitting "this" and simply saying "until now" is often sufficient and can make your writing more concise. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "until this point" be used to describe a spatial location rather than time?

While primarily used to indicate a point in time, "until this point" can be metaphorically extended to describe progress or advancement in a non-temporal context, though this usage is less common.