up until that moment

USAGE SUMMARY

"up until that moment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time before some other moment. For example: "Up until that moment, the outcome of the race was still uncertain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"But up until that moment I'm a nutcase.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Up until that moment, I wasn't so sure.

The New Yorker

Up until that moment, all of these bands were banned from performing in the USSR.

The Guardian

I had been enjoying the single life up until that moment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jean cried quietly throughout the demonstration, and added that Dakotah was a "loving grandson up until that moment".

The New Yorker

Up until that moment of impact, Bonds's momentum had been slowed because both the Giants and the Astros were flailing for a postseason berth.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

It fooled plenty of people for a brief amount of time, right up until the moment that everyone collectively realised that this exact thing happened in the 1966 Batman movie and that this was probably a great big fake.

The Guardian - Arts

Absorbing all those sugary expressions that seem so natural, up until the moment that she starts feeling sick, and then the messages drop off completely.

Huffington Post

To say that I have done anything or nothing up until this moment, that is not the case.

Huffington Post

In other words, we're conservative right up until the moment that it costs us.

The New York Times

The judge said the reasons behind the escalation of the brutality were "unfathomable", with the child suffering from hunger and hopelessness up until the moment that he died.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up until that moment" to create a clear temporal boundary in your writing, helping readers understand the sequence of events or changes over time. This phrase is particularly useful when contrasting a state or situation before and after a key turning point.

Common error

Avoid using "up until that moment" excessively in simple narratives where the sequence of events is already clear. Overusing it can make your writing sound redundant and less fluid. Simpler alternatives like "before that" or "until then" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up until that moment" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying a duration leading to a particular point. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct and widely used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "up until that moment" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a time leading to a specific point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable construction, appearing frequently in news and media sources. The phrase serves to create a temporal reference point, often to highlight changes or contrasts before and after a significant event. While suitable for various contexts, writers should avoid overuse in simple narratives and consider concise alternatives like "until then" for smoother prose. The phrase is considered neutral in tone and fits both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until then

This alternative provides a shorter, more concise way to express the same idea, focusing on the time leading to the specified moment.

before that time

This alternative emphasizes the temporal sequence, highlighting what occurred prior to the mentioned moment.

prior to that

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the preceding nature of the events or state being described.

leading up to that point

This alternative focuses on the process or events that gradually built up to the specified moment.

in the period before then

This alternative highlights the duration of the time leading up to the specified moment.

until that juncture

The word "juncture" adds a more formal tone, implying a critical or significant point in time.

previous to that instance

The word "instance" gives a more specific, almost clinical feel, referring to a particular occurrence.

in the time preceding that

This alternative highlights the sequential order, emphasizing what came before.

heretofore

This single word is very formal and means "until now" or "previously."

up to that stage

This alternative shifts the focus to the progression or phase that continued until the specific moment.

FAQs

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

You can use "up until that moment" to indicate a period before a specific event or turning point, such as: "Up until that moment everything was fine."

What are some alternatives to "up until that moment"?

Alternatives include "until then", "before that time", or "prior to that", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "up until that moment" formal or informal?

"Up until that moment" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more concise alternatives may be preferred in very casual settings.

Can "until that moment" be used instead of "up until that moment"?

Yes, "until that moment" is a valid alternative. The inclusion of "up" adds a slight emphasis on the time leading to that moment but doesn't significantly change the meaning.