grammar · formal
not until + clause + did + S + V
Shows that something happened only after a particular time or event; used for emphasis and requires inversion.
Examples
“Not until she apologised did he speak to her again.”
“Not until the data were analysed did the researchers draw conclusions.”
“Not until the final exam did I realise how unprepared I was.”
Band 8 sentence
“Not until policymakers acknowledged the long-term environmental costs did meaningful regulation begin to appear.”
Common mistakes
Not until she apologised, she spoke to him again.→Not until she apologised did she speak to him again.
Not until apologised she did speak to him again.→Not until she apologised did she speak to him again.
Say it for a higher band
5after + clause, S + V→6only after + clause, S + V→7+not until + clause + did + S + V
Synonyms
only after + clause + did + S + V
Easily confused
only after + clause + did + S + V
“Only after the deadline did she submit the assignment.”
Related words
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In Comparatives
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