Understanding Until, Till, Or ‘Til

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Until, till, and ’til are three words in the English language that are often used interchangeably. They all have the same meaning, which is up to the point in time or the event that is being referred to. They are commonly used in sentences such as “I will wait until you arrive” or “I will wait till you arrive.”

While these words have similar meanings, there are some slight differences in their usage and spelling. In this article, we will explore the differences between until, till, and ’til, their common uses, and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Until

Until

Until is a preposition that is used to indicate the point in time or event that marks the end of a situation or activity. It can be used in a variety of contexts, including time, place, and condition.

Usage

When using until, it is important to note that it is always followed by a noun or pronoun. Some examples of how to use until in a sentence include:

  • I will stay here until you come back.
  • You cannot leave until the game is finished.
  • She will not speak to him until he apologizes.

Common Phrases

There are several common phrases that use until, including:

  • Until now: This phrase is used to indicate the present time. For example, “Until now, I had never tasted sushi.”
  • Until then: This phrase is used to indicate a future point in time. For example, “I will wait here until then.”
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Till

Till is a contraction of until, and it is commonly used in informal speech and writing. It is not considered formal English, and it is often avoided in more formal situations.

Usage

Till can be used in the same way as until, and it is always followed by a noun or pronoun. Some examples of how to use till in a sentence include:

  • I will wait here till you come back.
  • You cannot leave till the game is finished.
  • She will not speak to him till he apologizes.

Common Phrases

There are several common phrases that use till, including:

  • Till now: This phrase is used to indicate the present time. For example, “Till now, I had never tasted sushi.”
  • Till then: This phrase is used to indicate a future point in time. For example, “I will wait here till then.”

‘Til

‘Til is another contraction of until, and it is also commonly used in informal speech and writing. It is not considered formal English, and it is often avoided in more formal situations.

Usage

‘Til can be used in the same way as until, and it is always followed by a noun or pronoun. Some examples of how to use ’til in a sentence include:

  • I will wait here ’til you come back.
  • You cannot leave ’til the game is finished.
  • She will not speak to him ’til he apologizes.

Common Phrases

There are several common phrases that use ’til, including:

  • ‘Til now: This phrase is used to indicate the present time. For example, “‘Til now, I had never tasted sushi.”
  • ‘Til then: This phrase is used to indicate a future point in time. For example, “I will wait here ’til then.”

The Differences Between Until, Till, and ‘Til

While until, till, and ’til all have the same meaning, there are some differences in their usage and spelling.

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