until

"Until" is a very common English word with two closely related uses — as a preposition and as a conjunction. Both uses share the same core idea: something continues up to a certain point in time, and then it stops (or starts). It's one of those small words that holds sentences together, so it's worth understanding well.

1prepositionup to a point in time

Use 'until' to show that something keeps happening right up to a specific moment — and then it stops. Think of it like a timeline with a clear end point. The action or situation continues all the way to that point.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

The shop is open until 9 p.m.

She waited until midnight for his call.

I lived in Paris until last year.

2conjunctionup to the point when

When 'until' connects two parts of a sentence, it means one thing keeps happening right up to the moment the other thing happens. The first action stops as soon as the second one begins. It links two events on a timeline.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

Keep stirring the sauce until it thickens.

He didn't speak until she asked him a question.

We played outside until it got dark.

3conjunctionbefore (used in negative sentences)

In negative sentences, 'until' has a slightly different feel. When you say 'not... until', you mean something does NOT happen before a certain point — it only happens at that point or after. This is a very natural pattern in English.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

I didn't realize my mistake until the next morning.

The results won't be ready until Friday.

She didn't feel better until she had rested for two days.