up until that point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "up until that point" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a point or time in the past before something else happened. For example, "I had been doing well in school up until that point, but then I started to struggle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Things hadn't gone well up until that point.

Harvard Business Review

Up until that point City were in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Up until that point ministers did not even use PowerPoint.

The Guardian

Their stats were 33 from 33 up until that point.

The Guardian - Sport

Up until that point, the box had contained a sample of random numbers.

Columbia University

Up until that point, the younger Fravel had barely been outside of his native Michigan.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It will be on the material covered up until that point.

Harvard University

Each midterm will be on the material covered up until that point.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Up until that point, it was a cute story.

Los Angeles Times

"And up until that point, I did.

The Guardian

Up until that point, I was starting to get cynical.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up until that point" to clearly demarcate a before-and-after scenario in your narrative. This helps the reader understand the shift or change that occurred at a specific time.

Common error

Avoid using "up until that point" multiple times in the same paragraph or in quick succession. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up until that point" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying the duration or period leading to a particular moment or event. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, illustrating how it sets a temporal boundary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

19%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "up until that point" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to establish a clear temporal boundary in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's important to avoid overuse and consider simpler alternatives like "before that" or "previously" for conciseness. Analysis of the search results reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Academia", indicating its broad applicability. Ultimately, "up until that point" effectively sets the stage for a narrative shift or change, helping readers understand the progression of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to that moment

Substitutes "point" with "moment" while maintaining the temporal reference.

before that

A simpler, more concise substitute for the original phrase.

until then

Replaces the entire phrase with a shorter, more direct temporal marker.

till then

Shorter, more colloquial version of "until then".

previously

Single-word adverb that efficiently conveys the same meaning.

prior to that time

Replaces "up until that point" with a more formal and explicit reference to a previous time.

leading up to that

Emphasizes the process or events that occurred before the specified time.

until that stage

Replaces point with stage, indicating phase instead of time

in the time before that

More verbose alternative emphasizing the duration leading up to the reference point.

before that juncture

A more formal substitution, using "juncture" to denote a specific point in time.

FAQs

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

Use "up until that point" to indicate a state or condition that existed before a specific event changed things. For example, "I enjoyed my job, but "up until that point" I hadn't received a promotion."

What's a simpler way to say "up until that point"?

Alternatives include "before that", "until then", or "previously". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "up until that point"?

While grammatically correct, "up until that point" can sometimes be replaced with a more concise alternative for better clarity and flow. Overusing it might make your writing sound verbose.

What's the difference between "up until that point" and "after that point"?

"Up until that point" refers to the time leading to a specific event, while "after that point" refers to the time following it. They represent opposite temporal directions.