up until this time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "up until this time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific point in time leading up to the present moment or a particular event. Example: "Up until this time, we have not encountered any major issues with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Up until this time, I had been almost pathologically uninterested in how minds work.

The New Yorker

Up until this time, ad agencies were gentlemanly, refusing to launch hostile takeovers.

The New Yorker

"Up until this time last year the Post Office was quite a big best-buy player in the mortgage market," says Ms Slade.

Independent

Up until this time, mathematicians had looked upon Gauss's composition law as a curiosity that happened only with binary quadratic forms.

The Guardian

Up until this time, fishermen on America's east coast, who were in direct competition with dolphins for fish, had considered the animals vermin.

The Guardian

Those votes have been tallied and calculated in precisely the same way that every Florida election up until this time has been calculated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Follow-up could be conducted in 33 of 37 patients up until the time this manuscript was submitted.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

He was actively involved in directing the restoration of this legendary masterpiece up until the time of his death.

The New York Times

14 This report includes all hypoglycaemic events reported up until the time the intensive glycaemia intervention was stopped.

British Medical Journal

A lot of her clothes up until that time had been homemade by a lady.

The Guardian

Up until the time of his death, he maintained a private practice in Westport, Connecticut.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is required, combine "up until this time" with specific dates or events to remove ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "up until this time" when "until now" suffices. The extra words can sometimes make your writing sound wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up until this time" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of a state or action leading to a specific point. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase introduces a shift or change in circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up until this time" serves as a useful adverbial phrase indicating a duration leading up to a specific moment, often highlighting a change or transition. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, scientific, and general writing. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by considering alternatives like "until now" when appropriate. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase effectively establishes a temporal boundary, setting the stage for what follows and providing essential context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until now

This is a shorter and more direct way of saying "up until this time".

before this

A simple way to refer to the period preceding the present moment or specified time.

prior to this

Similar to "before this" but slightly more formal.

previously

This term emphasizes a state or condition before the current one.

up to the present

Emphasizes continuity from a past point to the current moment.

earlier

A more concise way to indicate something happened before a particular moment.

so far

Indicates the extent of something happening from a past point to the present.

until then

Refers to a specific point in the past or future, rather than the present.

heretofore

A more formal or archaic term for "up until this time".

in the past

A general reference to any time before the present.

FAQs

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

You can use "up until this time" to describe a state or condition that existed before a particular moment. For example, "Up until this time, the company had been profitable, but recent changes have led to losses."

What phrases are similar to "up until this time"?

Similar phrases include "until now", "previously", and "before this". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "up until this time" formal or informal?

"Up until this time" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for both news articles and academic papers. More formal options include "heretofore".

When is it better to use "up until this point" instead of "up until this time"?

While both are similar, "up until this point" emphasizes a stage or progression, while "up until this time" emphasizes a specific moment. You might say, "Up until this point, we were focused on development, but now we're shifting to marketing."