until this time

USAGE SUMMARY

"until this time" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase in a sentence to refer to a time point in the past up to the present. For example: "No one has succeeded in solving the problem until this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not vulgarly made manifest until this Time...

Britannica

PRCA had been a very rare complication until this time.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Haematology

Until this time, there is no refrigeration on our part".

The New York Times

Up until this time, I just haven't let myself go there.

Harvard University

Up until this time, I had been almost pathologically uninterested in how minds work.

The New Yorker

It doesn't get much better than this, at least until this time next year.

The New York Times - Food

The Vestini's local dialect, belonging to the Northern Oscan group, probably survived until this time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Until this time, it was believed that television audiences could not be lured to Broadway.

The New York Times

The government should understand it is an endless story from 2006 until this time.

The Guardian

Up until this time, ad agencies were gentlemanly, refusing to launch hostile takeovers.

The New Yorker

Until this time, cancer surgery had been performed only rarely and reluctantly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until this time", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting point and the event that marks the end of the period. For instance, "The technology remained largely unchanged until this time, when new innovations began to emerge."

Common error

Avoid using "until this time" when referring to a future point. This phrase is specifically for referencing the past leading up to the present. For future scenarios, use phrases like "until then" or "by that time" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until this time" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state leading up to a specific moment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it specifies the duration prior to a particular event or point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until this time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a duration leading up to a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, it's important to consider the specific temporal context and choose appropriate alternatives like "until now" or "previously" depending on the desired level of formality and precision. Remember to avoid using it to refer to future events, as this phrase is specifically for past or present contexts. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "until this time" to enhance the clarity and depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until now

Directly replaces "this time" with "now", maintaining the meaning.

up to now

Replaces "until this time" with a simpler, more direct expression of the same idea.

so far

Indicates a duration from the past up to the present, like "until this time".

before this

A more concise and informal way of saying "until this time".

prior to this

A slightly more formal alternative to "before this".

to date

A formal synonym for "so far" and "until this time".

previously

Focuses on the prior state or condition, similar to "until this time".

up until then

Specifies a past time as the reference point, similar to "until this time".

hitherto

A more formal and literary synonym for "until this time".

in the past

Emphasizes the period before the current moment, similar to the function of "until this time".

FAQs

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

Use "until this time" to refer to a period leading up to a specific moment in the past or the present. For instance, "Up "until this time", research in the field had been limited."

What are some alternatives to "until this time"?

Alternatives include "up to now", "hitherto", or "previously", depending on the level of formality you need.

Is it correct to use "until this time" to refer to a future event?

No, "until this time" refers to the past. For future events, use phrases such as "until then" or "by that time".

What is the difference between "until this time" and "until now"?

"Until this time" is generally used to refer to a specific point in the past leading to another point, while "until now" implies the present moment. The difference is subtle but relates to the temporal focus of the phrase.