up to tonight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "up to tonight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame that includes everything until the present night. Example: "I have been working on this project up to tonight, and I feel confident about the progress I've made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

You have five Pings per night, and it allows you to reach out to users who haven't posted their plans tonight to see what they're up to tonight.

TechCrunch

"There's been such a build up to tonight, but when the Queen came last week it was an added pressure - so press night was a doddle compared to that".

BBC

No more "it's cool" when you haven't heard from a guy for weeks and he texts to see what you're "up to" tonight.

Huffington Post

And it's all leading up to tonight, when he makes his Broadway debut as a co-writer and director as Holiday Inn begins previews at Studio 54, Roundabout Theatre Company's first Broadway show of the season.

Huffington Post

7.40pm BST What's Trevor Nelson up to tonight? 7.35pm BST That was a very fashionable entry from me, wasn't it.

The Guardian - Sport

He got back from work, grabbed his silver cocktail shaker, made me and him a Sea Breeze and then said, 'What are you up to tonight Cavvers?' The first time he said this - way back when we were freshers at Bristol University - I thought he fancied me and was asking me out on a date.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Diane: "What were you up to last night?

The Guardian

Will tonight's show live up to last night's emphatic opener?

The Guardian - Music

The film was widely ignored in the run up to last night's Baftas, failing to secure a single nomination.

The Guardian - Film

The resort's price tag certainly failed to impress investors in the weeks leading up to this morning's opening.

Forbes

A single process might send up to l o g 2 n TREE messages plus one DELV message per suspected process.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up to tonight" to define a period concluding at the start of the current night, suitable for describing ongoing actions or preparations.

Common error

Avoid using "up to tonight" if you mean to include events happening during the night itself; consider "throughout the night" or "all night long" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to tonight" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase specifying a timeframe that extends until the beginning of the current night. It is used to describe actions, events, or states that are ongoing or relevant until that point. Ludwig AI validates its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up to tonight" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a period that extends until the commencement of the current night. It is considered grammatically correct and finds use across various contexts, particularly in news and media as pointed out by Ludwig. While "up to tonight" isn't exceptionally frequent, it offers a precise way to define a time frame, and it can be replaced by alternatives like "until this evening" or "leading up to tonight" for variety. Its formality is generally neutral, making it appropriate for diverse communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until this evening

Focuses on the timeframe leading to the end of the current day; directly replaces the original phrase's temporal boundary.

leading to tonight

Emphasizes the progression of events or actions culminating in the current evening.

in the run-up to tonight

Highlights the preparations and events preceding the present night, adding an element of anticipation.

throughout the day until tonight

Highlights the entire day's duration up to the present evening, extending the period considered.

in the period before tonight

Stresses the time frame prior to the start of the night, replacing the prepositional structure.

in the time leading to tonight

Focuses on actions or events happening as time progresses towards the specified evening.

before the night commences

Shifts the focus to the start of the night, rather than including the night itself in the timeframe.

in anticipation of tonight

Emphasizes a sense of expectancy or preparation for the night ahead, altering the original phrase's direct temporal reference.

until the arrival of night

Focuses on the transition to nighttime, changing the structure to emphasize anticipation of the evening.

prior to nighttime

Simplifies the phrase to specify the period before night, reducing the emphasis on continuous action or progression.

FAQs

How can I use "up to tonight" in a sentence?

Use "up to tonight" to indicate a period that extends to the beginning of the current night. For example, "I'll be working on this project "up to tonight", ensuring everything is ready for tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to "up to tonight"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "until tonight", "leading up to tonight", or "before tonight" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "up to tonight" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "up to tonight" is correct and understandable in English. Other options might include "until this evening" or "in the run-up to tonight" depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "up to tonight" and "tonight"?

"Up to tonight" refers to the period leading to the start of the current night, whereas "tonight" refers specifically to the night itself. For example, "I worked "up to tonight" to prepare for the presentation I'm giving "tonight"."