Till vs Until
What’s the difference between them?
Till
Meaning:
short form of until; up to the time of; as far as.
Examples:
1. I'm going to wait till the morning for the delivery.
2. I'll stay here till you come back.
3. I'm going to keep trying till I get it right.
Until
Meaning:
Until means up to the time of or before (the specified time).
Examples:
1. We won't know the answer until next week.
2. I'm not leaving until I get an answer.
3. I can't make any decisions until I have all the facts.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Till
1. Up to
2. Prior to
3. As far as
4. All the way to
5. Before
6. By the time of
1. Right Away
2. Forthwith
3. Immediately
4. At Once
5. Instantly
Until
1. Up to
2. Prior to
3. As far as
4. All the way to
5. Before
6. By the time of
1. Right Away
2. Forthwith
3. Immediately
4. At Once
5. Instantly
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Till", "Until".
1. Till: Think of 'till' as the short form of 'until.' It's a more informal or abbreviated version.
2. Until: 'Until' is the full and more formal form. If you need a complete word, especially in formal writing, use 'until.'
3. Till: Use 'till' in casual or conversational contexts. It's commonly used in everyday speech.
4. Until: If you're writing in a formal or academic context, or if you prefer a more complete word, go for 'until.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
'Till' is typically used in informal contexts to mean 'up to the time of' or 'before'. It can be used in conversation and in informal writing, such as emails, letters, and text messages.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
'Until' is typically used in formal contexts to mean 'up to the time of' or 'before'. It is preferable to use 'until' in academic writing and formal documents.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Till' is pronounced as /til/, while until is pronounced as /ʌnˈtɪl/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is substituting 'until' for 'till' in informal contexts. It is important to remember to use 'till' in informal contexts and 'until' in formal contexts.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I will keep trying _________ I succeed.
2. We are going to wait here _________ the store opens.
3. She will do her best _________ the end.
4. We will keep searching _________ we find it.
5. He will stay awake _________ morning.
6. We will stay here _________ tomorrow.
1. I will keep trying till I succeed.
Explanation: Till is an adverb meaning up to the time or point in time; in this sentence, till is used to indicate that the person will keep trying up to the point when they have succeeded.
2. We are going to wait here until the store opens
Explanation: Until is a conjunction meaning up to the time or event when; in this sentence, until is used to indicate that the group will wait up to the time when the store is open.
3. She will do her best until the end
Explanation: Until is a conjunction meaning up to the time or event when; in this sentence, until is used to indicate that the person will do her best up to the point when the task is finished.
4. We will keep searching till we find it
Explanation: Till is an adverb meaning up to the time or point in time; in this sentence, till is used to indicate that the group will keep searching up to the point when they find it.
5. He will stay awake until morning
Explanation: Until is a conjunction meaning up to the time or event when; in this sentence, until is used to indicate that the person will stay awake up to the point when morning arrives.
6. We will stay here till tomorrow
Explanation: Till is an adverb meaning up to the time or point in time; in this sentence, till is used to indicate that the group will stay up to the point when tomorrow arrives.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.