until we have

USAGE SUMMARY

"until we have" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used as a subordinating conjunction to indicate that an action or event will continue up until a certain point or until a certain goal is achieved. Example: "We will continue to work on the project until we have completed all of the necessary research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wait until we have a deal.

The New York Times

Wait until we have to play Japan".

The New York Times - Sports

Until we have a better world.

The New Yorker

"We'll never rebound until we have national health-care insurance".

The Economist

Until we have a strong civil society, nothing will change.

The New York Times

We cannot go back until we have them.

The New York Times

Until we have forensic information we cannot say anything conclusively".

The Guardian

Until we have it we are not civilised".

The Guardian

We shouldn't adopt expensive countermeasures until we have certainty.

The New York Times

I wouldn't like to speculate until we have that".

The Guardian - Sport

Until we have malpractice tort reform, doctors will fear autopsies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until we have", ensure that the clause following it clearly states the condition or requirement that must be met before the main action can occur. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "until we have" when a simple "before" or "after" construction would be more direct. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or passive. Reconsider if rephrasing would improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until we have" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a condition that must be met before the main clause can occur. It creates a temporal relationship, indicating that an action or state will continue up to a certain point, as highlighted by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "until we have" is a grammatically sound and commonly used conjunction phrase that sets a condition for a subsequent action or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used across a wide range of contexts, including news, academia, and scientific writing. While it is generally considered neutral in register, certain alternatives might be more suitable for formal or professional settings. To ensure clarity, the condition set by "until we have" should be clearly defined. Overuse should be avoided for conciseness and active tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we possess

Replaces "have" with "possess", focusing on ownership. The degree of formality is slightly higher.

not before we secure

Replaces "until" with "not before" and "have" with "secure", stressing the importance of ensuring something is firmly in place.

prior to acquiring

Substitutes "until" with "prior to" and "have" with "acquiring", indicating a more formal tone and emphasizing the act of gaining something.

only when we obtain

Changes the focus to the point at which something is received; the phrase is only valid if something can happen at that point

once we are in receipt of

Puts the emphasis on the official reception of something; higher formality

awaiting our gaining

Replaces "until" with "awaiting" and "have" with "gaining", emphasizing expectation and active effort.

pending our acquisition of

Refers to acquisition as something ongoing, an act

subject to us holding

Introduces a legal or conditional aspect, where something depends on us retaining possession.

contingent on our obtaining

Similar to 'subject to' but often implies a less direct dependence, where obtaining something is a prerequisite but not necessarily a guarantee

in the interim before we are endowed with

High level of formality and a philosophical tone that would be inappropriate for most contexts

FAQs

How can I use "until we have" in a sentence?

You can use "until we have" to indicate a condition that needs to be met before an action can take place. For example, "We cannot proceed "until we have" received all the necessary approvals."

What are some alternatives to "until we have"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "before we possess", "prior to acquiring", or "not before we secure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "until we have" or "once we have"?

"Until we have" and "once we have" are both correct but have slightly different meanings. "Until we have" implies a duration or waiting period, while "once we have" emphasizes the point at which something changes or becomes possible.

What's the difference between "until we have" and "awaiting our gaining"?

"Until we have" is a more common and straightforward way to express a condition. "Awaiting our gaining" is less common and adds a sense of expectation or anticipation to the condition. "Awaiting our gaining" emphasizes expectation and active effort.