until

up to a particular time, and then no longer

A situation or an action continues up to the time named and then stops. Until can stand alone before the time, or follow from (from nine until five).

• The store is open until nine tonight.
• I'll be at my aunt's until Friday.
• We waited until midnight, but nobody came.
• She lived with her parents until the age of twenty-five.

Compare by (by a time means at or before that time, so the action can happen earlier; until means a situation continues right up to that time and then stops); to (after from, both are used: from nine to five, from nine until five); through

1. anot before a particular time

   After a negative (not ... until), the sentence says that something does not happen before the time named, and happens then or soon after.

   • The results won't be ready until next week.
   • I didn't get home until late.
   • The doctor can't see you until three o'clock.

up to the time when something happens

The action in the main clause continues up to a point and then stops. In a clause about the future, until takes the present tense or the present perfect, not will.

• Wait here until I come back.
• We played outside until it got dark.
• Keep stirring until the sauce is thick. (the action continues and then stops)
• Until you called, I had no idea there was a problem.

Compare by (by gives a deadline for an action that happens once; until is for an action or situation that continues)

1. aonly at the time when something happens, and not before

   After a negative (not ... until), the main clause says that something did not happen or must not happen before a certain moment, and did or may happen then.

   • I didn't know about the party until Ana told me.
   • Don't open the door until the car has stopped.
   • We can't leave until the rain stops.