At vs Until - What's the difference?

at | until |

As a symbol at

is .

As a preposition until is

up to the time of (something happening).

As a conjunction until is

up to the time that (a condition becomes true).

at

English

(AT)

Preposition

(English prepositions)

In or very near a particular place.

*:“My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly. ¶ Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan. ¶ “Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.”

*:(b ) sporophyte with foot reduced, the entire sporophyte enveloped by the calyptra, which is ± stipitate at the base.

(indicating time) Simultaneous, during.

*{{quote-news, year=2012, date=April 19, author=Josh Halliday, work=the Guardian

, title= Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised? , passage=Other global taboos, such as sex and suicide, manifest themselves widely online, with websites offering suicide guides and Hot XXX Action seconds away at the click of a button. The UK government will come under pressure to block access to pornographic websites this year when a committee of MPs publishes its report on protecting children online.}}

In the direction of (often in an unfocused or uncaring manner).

Occupied in (activity).

Because of.

Holding a given speed or .

In a state of.

bothering, irritating, causing discomfort to

*1995 Keith Wood, quoted in David Hughes, " Wood odds-on to take one against the head", in The Independent (London) 18 January:

*:I think `Jesus, my back is at' me'. Then I get the ball. Off you go for 10 yards and you don't feel a thing. Then you stop and think: `Jesus, it's ' at me again'[.]

*2014 Marian Keyes " Antarctic Diary - Part 2" personal website (January 2014):

*:He seems to be saying. “Ah, go on, you’re making the other lads feel bad.” But the 4th fella says, “No. Don’t be ‘at’ me. I’m just not in the form right now, I’ll stay where I am, thanks.”

Usage notes

* He threw the ball to me — (so I could catch it). * He threw the ball at me — (trying to hit me with it). * He talked to her — (conversationally). * He shouted at her — (aggressively).

Noun

(en noun)

the symbol.

Statistics

Anagrams

* 100 English basic words English two-letter words 1000 English basic words ----

until

English

Preposition

(English prepositions)

Up to the time of (something happening).

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)

, volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.}}

Before (a time).

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=I was about to say that I had known the Celebrity from the time he wore kilts. But I see I will have to amend that, because he was not a celebrity then, nor, indeed, did he achieve fame until some time after I left New York for the West.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-21, author= Chico Harlan

, volume=189, issue=2, page=30, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Japan pockets the subsidy … , passage=Across Japan, technology companies and private investors are racing to install devices that until recently they had little interest in: solar panels. Massive solar parks are popping up as part of a rapid build-up that one developer likened to an "explosion."}}

(obsolete) To; physically towards.

* Spenser

He roused himself full blithe, and hastened them until .

Usage notes

It is typically assumed that circumstances have changed or could change at the referenced time. For instance, “All has gone well until now” implies that the current situation may not be so good.

Synonyms

* 'til (nonstandard), till, up to

Antonyms

* since

Conjunction

(English Conjunctions)

Up to the time that (a condition becomes true).

*:It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-19, author=(Peter Wilby)

, volume=189, issue=6, page=30, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Finland spreads word on schools , passage=Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting.}}

Before (a condition becoming true).

*:It is never possible to settle down to the ordinary routine of life at sea until the screw begins to revolve. There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.