up to that point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'up to that point' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you referring to a series of events or activities leading up to a specific point in time. For example: "We had been travelling for eight hours straight, up to that point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Up to that point, anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

The players were so good up to that point".

Independent

"They had 80 yards up to that point," Ryan said.

The New York Times - Sports

Up to that point it was purely professional.

The New York Times

"Up to that point I was looking for an idea.

The New York Times

School up to that point had left me unscathed.

The New Yorker

Up to that point, I have no problem.

The New Yorker

Up to that point he has a court-appointed attorney.

The New York Times

And up to that point we really weren't doing that.

The New York Times - Arts

Up to that point, I think it's all good.

The Washington Post

Up to that point, injuries had stymied Wall's career.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "up to that point" with specific details to create a more vivid picture. For example, instead of saying "Up to that point, nothing had happened", you can say "Up to that point, the negotiations had been amicable, with both sides willing to compromise".

Common error

Avoid using "up to that point" when the sequence of events is already clear. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound redundant and less engaging. Instead, rely on natural transitions and context to guide the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to that point" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying the duration or events leading to a particular moment. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to establish a temporal reference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up to that point" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to indicate a specific time before a change or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It functions as an adverbial phrase, establishing temporal context across various registers, especially in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the sequence of events and avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "until then" or "prior to that" can be used for variety. Remember that, while effective, overusing the phrase can make writing sound repetitive, and clarity of meaning always is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until then

Emphasizes the time leading to a specific moment without explicitly mentioning a 'point'.

prior to that

Highlights the preceding time frame before a certain event or situation.

before that moment

Specifically refers to the time before a particular instant.

previously

A simpler, more concise way to indicate something that happened earlier.

up until that time

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the duration leading to the specified time.

so far

Indicates the progress made until a certain moment.

heretofore

A more formal and less common synonym for 'previously'.

until this juncture

Uses a more formal term ('juncture') to mark a specific point in time.

leading up to then

Focuses on the events or actions that preceded a particular time.

beforehand

A general term indicating something that occurred earlier.

FAQs

How can I use "up to that point" in a sentence?

You can use "up to that point" to indicate a specific time before something changed or a particular event occurred. For example: "We had been winning the game, but "up to that point", we had been playing conservatively, after that we started to be more offensive".

What are some alternatives to "up to that point"?

Some alternatives to "up to that point" include "until then", "prior to that", or "before that moment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "up to that point" formal or informal?

"Up to that point" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing.

What's the difference between "up to that point" and "at that point"?

"Up to that point" refers to the period leading up to a specific moment, while "at that point" refers to the moment itself. For example: "Up to that point, the weather had been clear. At that point, the storm began".