Until vs. Untill — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 18, 2024
The correct spelling is "Until," while the incorrect version is "Untill." Until is a preposition and conjunction used to indicate a point in time up to which something happens.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Until or Untill
How to spell Until?
Until
Correct Spelling
Untill
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
Consider the phrase "up until," which often appears together, to reinforce that "until" has just one 'l.'
Associating "until" with "still" can help; both words are used in time-related contexts and have only one 'l.'
Remember that "until" has only one 'l' at the end, unlike "untill" with two 'l's.
Compare "until" with other similar time words like "since" and "while," which also have a simple, straightforward spelling.
Think of "until" as a combination of 'un' + 'til,' both of which are short and to the point.
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How Do You Spell Untill Correctly?
Incorrect: We didn't realize the time untill it was too late.
Correct: We didn't realize the time until it was too late.
Incorrect: She cannot leave untill she finishes her work.
Correct: She cannot leave until she finishes her work.
Incorrect: The store is closed untill Monday morning.
Correct: The store is closed until Monday morning.
Incorrect: He promised to stay untill the end of the movie.
Correct: He promised to stay until the end of the movie.
Incorrect: I will wait here untill you return.
Correct: I will wait here until you return.
Until Definitions
As a conjunction, until introduces the moment when a certain condition becomes true.
Stay indoors until it stops raining.
Until can also express that something remains the case leading up to a particular point in time.
The store is open until midnight.
Until serves as a preposition indicating a point in time up to which something occurs.
I will wait until 5 pm.
Until can be used to specify a limit or boundary in non-temporal contexts.
Walk until the end of the road.
It indicates a period of time before an action or event will be completed.
Until we meet again, take care.
Up to (the point in time or the event mentioned)
The kidnappers have given us until October 11th to deliver the documents
He held the office until his death
You don't know what you can achieve until you try
Up to the time of
We danced until dawn.
Before (a specified time)
She can't leave until Friday.
(Scots) Unto; to.
Up to the time that
We walked until it got dark.
Before
You cannot leave until your work is finished.
To the point or extent that
I talked until I was hoarse. See Usage Note at till2.
Up to the time of (something happening).
If you can wait until after my meeting with her, we'll talk then.
Up to (a certain place)
Before (a time).
(obsolete) To; physically towards.
Up to the time that (a condition becomes true).
Before (a condition becoming true).
To; unto; towards; - used of material objects.
Taverners until them told the same.
He roused himself full blithe, and hastened them until.
To; up to; till; before; - used of time; as, he staid until evening; he will not come back until the end of the month.
He and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity.
Until Meaning in a Sentence
The flowers don't bloom until spring.
The library doesn't open until 9 a.m.
She waited until the rain stopped before leaving.
You should not eat until 30 minutes have passed.
I won't be able to relax until the exams are over.
The children stayed awake until midnight on New Year's Eve.
He didn't speak until he was sure of the answer.
She can't start her new job until she gets her work permit.
We'll have to wait until the storm passes.
The shop will be closed until further notice.
The treaty maintained peace until it was broken.
The team didn't celebrate until the final whistle blew.
You should not judge until you know the whole story.
They played games until it was dark outside.
The offer is valid until the end of the month.
He worked on the project until he got it right.
We were not allowed to leave until the bell rang.
They decided to stay until the weather improved.
I didn't realize how late it was until I looked at the clock.
The agreement holds until 2023.
The baby didn't cry until he was hungry.
You won't know until you try.
Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens.
The concert doesn't start until 8 o'clock.
She saved her money until she had enough to buy a bicycle.
Until Idioms & Phrases
Until the cows come home
For a very long time.
You can argue until the cows come home, but it won't change my mind.
Until the bitter end
Continuing until the end, no matter how difficult.
He vowed to fight for justice until the bitter end.
Count the days until
To eagerly anticipate something.
She's counting the days until her graduation.
Save until it hurts
To save as much money as possible, even if it requires sacrifice.
They saved for their house until it hurts, cutting back on all luxuries.
Wait until the last minute
To delay doing something until the very end.
She always waits until the last minute to do her homework.
Not until hell freezes over
Never.
I won't forgive him, not until hell freezes over.
Until you're blue in the face
To do something for a long time with no results.
You can tell him the same thing until you're blue in the face, but he won't listen.
Work until dawn
To work through the night until morning.
We had to work until dawn to meet the deadline.
Stay until the end
To remain somewhere until something is completely finished.
Despite the boring speech, I decided to stay until the end.
Until death do us part
A phrase used in wedding vows indicating commitment for life.
They promised to love each other until death do us part.
Keep under wraps until
To keep something secret until a certain time.
The project was kept under wraps until the launch date.
Live until an old age
To live to be elderly.
He wants to live healthily until an old age.
Play it by ear until
To decide how to proceed as events develop.
We'll play it by ear until we see the weather forecast.
Look forward to until
To anticipate something with pleasure.
I'm looking forward to the holidays until we can finally relax.
Up until now
Until the present moment.
Up until now, everything has gone according to plan.
Drag on until
To continue for too long.
The meeting dragged on until everyone was exhausted.
Hold off until
To wait to do something.
Let's hold off until we have more information.
Until further notice
For an indefinite period of time.
The park will be closed until further notice due to renovations.
Keep it up until
To continue doing something.
Keep up the good work until you finish the project.
Guard until
To protect something until a specified time.
Guard this secret until the right moment to reveal it.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Until?
"Until" doesn't have a verb form as it is primarily a preposition and conjunction.
What is the root word of Until?
The root comes from Old Norse "und 'til."
What is the pronunciation of Until?
Pronounced as /ʌnˈtɪl/.
Why is it called Until?
The word "until" comes from Old Norse "und 'til," meaning "up to."
Which conjunction is used with Until?
"Until" can also function as a conjunction itself.
Which vowel is used before Until?
It can vary, depending on sentence construction.
What is the singular form of Until?
"Until" doesn't have a singular or plural form as it is a preposition and conjunction.
Which article is used with Until?
Any article ("a," "an," or "the") can precede "until," depending on sentence structure.
Is Until a noun or adjective?
"Until" is primarily a preposition and can also serve as a conjunction.
Is Until a vowel or consonant?
It is a word containing both vowels and consonants.
What is the plural form of Until?
"Until" doesn't have a plural form.
Is Until an abstract noun?
No, it is not a noun.
Is the word Until imperative?
No, it's not used in imperative sentences as a verb.
Is the word Until a gerund?
No, it is not a gerund.
How many syllables are in Until?
Two syllables.
What is the opposite of Until?
After, since.
Which preposition is used with Until?
"Until" itself serves as a preposition.
What is another term for Until?
Till, up to.
Which determiner is used with Until?
Determiners like "the" or "this" could be used depending on the sentence.
Is Until a countable noun?
No, it is not a noun.
Is Until a collective noun?
No, it is not a noun.
What is a stressed syllable in Until?
The second syllable, "til," is stressed.
Is Until a negative or positive word?
It is a neutral term, context-dependent.
Is the Until term a metaphor?
Generally not, but it can be used metaphorically.
Is the word “Until” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Until" typically is neither; it usually acts as a preposition or conjunction.
How is Until used in a sentence?
"The shop will remain open until 9 pm."
Is Until an adverb?
No, it is not an adverb.
How do we divide Until into syllables?
Un-til.
What part of speech is Until?
It is primarily a preposition and can also be a conjunction.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
