up until now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'up until now' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has been happening or been the case until now or until the present time, but might not have been true or have been the case at some point in the future. Example sentence: We have had clear skies up until now, but the forecast is for rain in the afternoon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

which up until now has remained unpublished ?

Princeton University

"I've been patient up until now.

The New York Times

"Nothing done up until now really seems to be working".

The New York Times

His thinking is different from thinking up until now.

The New York Times - Arts

And that was the worst up until now.

Forbes

"And I've competed up until now with that same gun.

BBC

Not up until now.

Independent

Up until now, that is.

The Guardian

Up until now.

The Washington Post

Up until now, this has been healthy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

- Maureen Cunningham, Up Until Now Inc.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up until now" to highlight a change or shift from a past state to the current one. It's effective when introducing a contrast or new development.

Common error

Avoid using "up until now" when you intend to describe a continuous state without any implied change. In such cases, using a simpler phrase like "currently" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up until now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a time frame leading to the present. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes something that was true until the present but may change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "up until now" is a versatile adverbial phrase indicating a time span that extends to the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its primary function is to set a temporal boundary, often to highlight a change or contrast. It is common in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic writing, suggesting a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using "up until now", consider whether you want to emphasize a shift or simply describe a continuous state. Alternatives like "thus far" or "until the present time" can offer subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Until the present time

Emphasizes the duration leading to the current moment.

Thus far

Indicates progress made to the current point.

To this point

Highlights a specific point in time reached.

As of yet

Suggests that something may change in the future.

Until this moment

Focuses on the immediacy of the present.

Hitherto

A more formal and literary alternative.

Up to this juncture

Similar to 'to this point' but more emphatic.

Previously

Implies a contrast with the current situation.

Before now

Simply states something happened prior to the present.

Until recently

Suggests the situation has changed very lately.

FAQs

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

Use "up until now" to indicate that a situation or condition has been true until the present moment, but may change in the future. For example, "Up until now, the weather has been perfect, but rain is expected tomorrow".

What are some alternatives to "up until now"?

Alternatives include "thus far", "to date", or "until the present time". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "up until now today"?

While not strictly incorrect, "up until now today" can be redundant. "Up until now" already implies the present, so adding "today" may be unnecessary unless you need to specify a very limited timeframe.

Can "up until now" be used in formal writing?

"Up until now" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives like "hitherto" or "heretofore", depending on the specific context.