until tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

"until tonight" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a specific time frame, with the meaning that something will continue or be in effect until that particular time. Example: "I won't be able to finish this report until tonight, so please don't expect it before then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Until tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

At the Barbican until tonight.

The Guardian

I can't wait until tonight".

The New Yorker

On another, until tonight, was the watchtower.

The New York Times

The Marc Jacobs show isn't until tonight!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Official results are not expected until tonight.

The New York Times

Some will stay undecided until tonight.

The New York Times

QB Zach Mettenberger, who had barely been adequate until tonight.

The New York Times

Montgomery had appeared vulnerable this season, at least until tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

But, until tonight, he had pitched well in the postseason.

The New York Times - Sports

The Smile Off Your Face runs continues until tonight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until tonight" to set a clear deadline or time limit that extends to the evening of the current day. This provides a specific timeframe for completion or availability.

Common error

Avoid using "until tonight" when you mean "through tonight" or "all night long". "Until tonight" implies a cutoff point in the evening, not a duration covering the entire night.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until tonight" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes that something will continue until the evening of the current day.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until tonight" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a time limit extending to the evening of the current day. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and lifestyle content. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, setting a temporal boundary for actions or states. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with terms indicating duration throughout the entire night. When writing, using alternatives like "by this evening" or "before the end of the day" can sometimes provide greater clarity, but "until tonight" remains a direct and effective choice for establishing a specific deadline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

till this evening

A more colloquial alternative to "until tonight", maintaining the same meaning.

up to tonight

Highlights a period leading to the current night, focusing on the duration.

until the evening

A slightly more formal version of "until tonight".

no later than tonight

Emphasizes that something must happen or be completed on the same day.

by this evening

Emphasizes completion or occurrence no later than the current evening.

before the end of the day

Specifies a deadline before the day concludes, rather than focusing specifically on the evening.

before nightfall

Focuses on the period before the onset of night, rather than a specific event or deadline.

before it gets dark

Focuses on the light conditions and the time before darkness arrives, less formal.

by close of business

Indicates a deadline associated with standard working hours.

throughout the day

Suggests activity or a state continuing for the entirety of the day, including the period leading up to the evening.

FAQs

How can I use "until tonight" in a sentence?

You can use "until tonight" to indicate that something will continue or is valid up to the end of the current day. For example, "The special offer is valid "until tonight"."

What's an alternative to saying "until tonight"?

Alternatives include "by this evening", "till this evening", or "before the end of the day", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I'll be working until tonight"?

Yes, "I'll be working "until tonight"" is grammatically correct. It means you will stop working at some point in the evening.

What is the difference between "until tonight" and "tonight"?

"Tonight" refers to the evening or night of the current day, whereas "until tonight" specifies a duration or period lasting up to some point during the evening.