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until

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until: up to a boundary point in time, with the action or state continuing before that point and stopping or changing there.

  • Until marks the end point of a period: wait until Friday / open until 9 p.m.
  • Use until when something continues before the boundary. Use by for deadlines.
  • Until is followed by a time or event. After the boundary, English usually switches to after.

Controls

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Examples

Time examples

I worked until midnight last night.

Stay online until I call you.

The sale runs until the end of June.

Related prepositions

since default thumbnail

since

since: marks a time starting point, and sometimes the reason a judgment starts from.

after default thumbnail

after

later than; following in time

from default thumbnail

from

from (origin/start point; source)

to default thumbnail

to

to: toward an endpoint; to a recipient; up to a limit

Key differences

Until focuses on the boundary where something continues up to a point. The biggest confusions are by (deadline before a point) and to (range endpoint without the 'continue before that point' meaning).

by

By means no later than a deadline. Until means the situation continues up to that point.

byFinish the report by Friday.
untilKeep working on the report until Friday.

to

To often marks an endpoint in ranges such as from 9 to 5. Until sounds more natural when you describe continuing action or waiting.

toThe office is open from 9 to 5.
untilStay here until 5.

Quick check questions (decision tree)

  • Is it touching a surface?

    Touching -> often on; if this page is not on, use the closest surface/contact preposition.

  • Is it inside a container or boundary?

    Inside -> more likely by; if not inside, check position/distance/covering.

  • Is it above without contact, or below/covered?

    Above without contact -> lean toward to; below/covered -> under/beneath/underneath.

Common collocations

Time boundaries

until tomorrow
until Friday
until midnight
until the end of June
until lunchtime
until then

Continue or wait until

stay until the end
wait until the bus arrives
keep reading until bedtime
work until midnight
sleep until noon
talk until dawn

Useful instructions

hold this until I return
leave it there until Monday
don't open it until later
keep the receipt until next month
save the file until we decide
remain seated until the doors open

Common mistakes

Avoid: Finish it until Friday.

Use: Finish it by Friday.

Reason: Finish is a deadline target. By Friday means no later than Friday. Until Friday suggests continuous action before that point.

Avoid: The shop is open until 9 to 5.

Use: The shop is open from 9 to 5.

Reason: Use from ... to ... for schedule ranges. Until works better with one boundary point.

Avoid: I will wait by you call.

Use: I will wait until you call.

Reason: Until can introduce the event that ends the waiting period.

Mini quiz

Question 1

Please wait here ___ I come back.

Choose an answer

Question 2

Submit the form ___ Friday.

Choose an answer

Question 3

The café stays open ___ 11 p.m.

Choose an answer

Quick FAQ

What is the core idea of until?+

Something continues before a boundary point and stops or changes at that point.

What is the difference between until and by?+

Until is about continuing up to a boundary. By is about finishing no later than that boundary.

Can until be followed by an event?+

Yes. You can say until the bus arrives, until I call you, or until the rain stops.

When should I use from ... to ... instead of until?+

Use from ... to ... for neutral ranges such as opening hours. Use until when you want the idea of waiting, staying, or continuing before the endpoint.

Does until only work with clock times?+

No. It can be followed by dates, days, parts of the day, or events: until Friday, until midnight, until summer, until the meeting ends.