up until

USAGE SUMMARY

"up until" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to refer to a point in time that occurs before the current moment but is not its exact opposite. For example: "I've been waiting up until now for you to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not up until now.

Independent

Up until now, that is.

The Guardian

I was up until 2.

The New York Times

"We stayed up until 3.30am.

Independent

Booked up until 2018.

The Guardian - Film

Right up until 1952.

The Guardian - Travel

The business flourished up until the 1930s.

The New Yorker

The store is up until Nov. 15.

The New York Times

Up until now, this has been healthy.

The New Yorker

Right up until Munich, a prominent appeaser.

The New Yorker

Team officials stayed up until 6 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up until" to clearly define a timeframe that concludes at a specific point. For example, "The store will be open up until midnight."

Common error

Avoid using "up until" when the timeframe is already clearly defined by another phrase. For example, instead of saying "Up until the end of the year, we will be offering discounts", simply say "Until the end of the year, we will be offering discounts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up until" functions as a preposition indicating a duration leading to a specific point in time. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

24%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "up until" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that clearly defines a timeframe concluding at a specific point. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While highly versatile, it's most commonly found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. Alternatives like "until" or "up to" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When writing, ensure not to overlap timeframes unnecessarily to maintain clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until

This is the simplest alternative, omitting the "up" for brevity.

till

A more informal synonym for "until", commonly used in speech and writing.

up to

Focuses more on reaching a specific point rather than a duration.

as far as

Highlights the extent or limit reached.

through

Emphasizes a continuous period leading to a point.

prior to

A more formal alternative emphasizing the time before something.

before

A general term indicating precedence in time.

leading up to

Focuses on the period of time immediately preceding an event.

until recently

Highlights that something was true until a short time ago.

to date

Implies a situation that has persisted up to the present moment.

FAQs

What does "up until" mean?

"Up until" means continuing to a specific point in time. It's used to describe a period that lasts until a particular moment.

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

You can use "up until" to specify a time period that continues to a certain point. For example, "I worked up until 5 PM yesterday".

What are some alternatives to "up until"?

Alternatives to "up until" include "until", "till", or "up to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "up until" and "until"?

While similar, "up until" can sometimes add emphasis on the duration or process leading to a certain point, whereas "until" is more direct. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.