Until vs. Till vs. ’Til: What’s the Difference?

The words until, till, and ’til all mean up to a certain time, but they differ slightly in formality and correctness.

Here’s the quick rule:

• Until → formal and standard (use it anywhere).
• Till → informal but correct (common in daily English).
• ’Til → informal, shortened form (often seen in signs or creative writing).

Let’s break them down clearly.

1. Until: The Standard and Most Formal Form

Meaning

“Until” means up to the time that or before a certain moment.
It can function as both a preposition and a conjunction.

Examples (10 total)

1. We waited until midnight.
2. She stayed at work until 6 p.m.
3. Don’t open the box until your birthday.
4. The store is open until 10 p.m.
5. He won’t stop until he finishes.
6. Wait here until I call your name.
7. She didn’t eat anything until dinner.
8. We talked until the sun came up.
9. They can’t leave until tomorrow.
10. I’ll keep trying until I succeed.

🧠 Tip:
If you’re writing formally (essays, reports, emails), always choose until.

2. Till: Informal but Correct

Meaning

“Till” means the exact same thing as until.
It’s not short for “until” — it’s actually the older form, dating back to the 9th century!

So, till is perfectly correct in both speech and writing, though it feels less formal.

Examples (10 total)

1. The shop is open till 9 p.m.
2. Stay here till I get back.
3. We danced till dawn.
4. He worked till he was exhausted.
5. Don’t eat till dinner is ready.
6. They waited till the rain stopped.
7. I’ll be here till next week.
8. She didn’t sleep till morning.
9. He stayed till the movie ended.
10. Let’s wait till everyone arrives.

🧠 Tip:
If you’re texting, writing casually, or want a simpler tone, till is fine.

3. ’Til: Modern Contraction (Use Sparingly)

Meaning

“’Til” (with an apostrophe) is an informal contraction of until.
It’s often used in song lyrics, advertising, or creative writing, but it’s not considered standard in formal English.

Examples (10 total)

1. Open ’til midnight!
2. I’ll love you ’til the end of time.
3. Stay right here ’til I’m ready.
4. She worked ’til dawn.
5. The bar’s open ’til late.
6. Don’t leave ’til I say so.
7. I’ll wait ’til you get here.
8. He’s gone ’til next week.
9. Hang on ’til Friday.
10. “Stay ’til the morning light,” she sang.

🧠 Tip:
Avoid ’til in formal writing — it’s mainly for artistic effect or style.

4. Quick Comparison Table

5. How to Remember

👉 Until = universal and safe everywhere.
👉 Till = short and casual, but correct.
👉 ’Til = looks cool, but not formal.

💡 Memory Trick:

“‘Til” looks stylish,
“Till” is real English,
“Until” is always right.

6. Common Mistakes

❌ I’ll wait till’ you arrive.
✅ I’ll wait till you arrive. (no apostrophe)

❌ Open untill midnight.
✅ Open until midnight.

❌ Stay til tomorrow.
✅ Stay ’til tomorrow. (if informal)
✅ Stay till tomorrow. (preferred)

7. Why It’s Easy to Mix Up

Many people assume till is short for until, so they add an apostrophe (’til).
But actually, till came first, and until appeared later in English history.
Even grammar checkers can confuse them — but Humanizey can keep your tone consistent based on audience and formality.

FAQs

1. Is “till” wrong or slang?

No — it’s correct and much older than until.

2. Is “’til” grammatically correct?

It’s acceptable in informal writing but not standard in academic or professional contexts.

3. Can I use “till” at the start of a sentence?

Yes. Example: Till the sun rises, we’ll stay awake.

4. Is there any difference in meaning between “till” and “until”?

No difference in meaning — just tone and formality.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Until,” “Till,” or “’Til”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. The store is open ___ 10 p.m.
2. Wait here ___ I get back.
3. I won’t leave ___ you tell me.
4. The concert lasted ___ midnight.
5. We’ll dance ___ the morning.
6. The meeting won’t start ___ everyone arrives.
7. He stayed awake ___ dawn.
8. She worked ___ she finished the report.
9. The shop says “Open ___ late!” on the sign.
10. Don’t eat ___ dinner’s ready.

Answers

1. until / till
2. till
3. until
4. till
5. ’til (informal) / till (standard)
6. until
7. till
8. until
9. ’til
10. until