hitherto

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparableformal

   Up to this point in time, but possibly not later.

   Grammar: Goes before an adjective or participle: hitherto unknown.

   Patterns

   • hitherto unknown
   • hitherto unseen
   • hitherto unpublished

   The study revealed a hitherto unknown species of frog.

   Hitherto, the company had never lost money.

   The museum displayed a hitherto unseen painting.

2. 2adverbnot comparableformalliterary

   Until a time that was mentioned earlier in a story or text.

   Grammar: Often at the start of a clause in history writing.

   Patterns

   • hitherto he had

   Hitherto she had avoided speaking in public.

   The village had hitherto remained at peace.

   He had hitherto been silent on the matter.

Common combinations

hitherto unknown

The scientists found a hitherto unknown cave.

hitherto unseen

The film shows hitherto unseen footage.

hitherto untouched

They explored a hitherto untouched region.

hitherto undiscovered

A hitherto undiscovered letter turned up.

hitherto ignored

Hitherto ignored evidence changed the case.

Synonyms and how they differ

until now

Until now is the everyday version and fits speech and plain writing.

previously

Previously is neutral and refers to any earlier time, not especially up to the present.

so far

So far is informal and focuses on the present moment, where hitherto sounds formal.

heretofore

Heretofore is even more formal and legal, though it means the same.

Opposites

Word family

hither adverb

an old word meaning to this place

thither adverb

an old word meaning to that place

henceforth adverb

from this time onward

heretofore adverb

before now, in legal writing

Commonly confused: hitherto or hereto? hitherto or hitherto vs heretofore?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hitherto”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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