Key Difference

• “So far” emphasizes progress or what has been achieved up to a specific point in time.
• “Up until now” focuses on the period leading up to the current moment and often implies there might be a change after now.

1. Using “So Far”

“So far” highlights what has been accomplished or observed up to the current moment. It gives a sense of progress that may still continue.

• Meaning: This phrase refers to actions, conditions, or progress that have happened from the start up to the present moment.
• Use: Often used when discussing achievements or observations.

Examples:

• “So far, we have completed three chapters of the book.” (Emphasizes the progress—there may be more to come.)
• “I have enjoyed my new job so far.” (Implies that the experience has been positive up to now and might continue this way.)
• “No problems have come up so far.” (Suggests things are smooth now, with no guarantee about the future.)

2. Using “Up Until Now”

“Up until now” focuses more on the time leading up to this point and may suggest a change is coming or could happen.

• Meaning: This phrase is often used to indicate that something was true or unchanging up to this point, but it may not stay the same.
• Use: Used when there’s a sense of transition, change, or a possible shift after “now.”

Examples:

• “Up until now, the weather has been warm, but the forecast says it will cool down tomorrow.” (Indicates a shift in the weather is expected soon.)
• “She had lived in that town up until now, but she’s planning to move next month.” (Implies that her living situation is about to change.)
• “Up until now, there has been no conflict in the office.” (Suggests there could be a change or issue coming.)

Quick Comparison

Practice Time!

Try these sentences to test your understanding. Fill in the blanks with either “so far” or “up until now”.

1. “________, our team has won every game this season.”
2. “She had never tried sushi ________, but now she loves it.”
3. “________, the project is going smoothly.”
4. “We didn’t have any problems with the software ________, but today we encountered an error.”

Answers:

1. “So far, our team has won every game this season.”
2. “She had never tried sushi up until now, but now she loves it.”
3. “So far, the project is going smoothly.”
4. “We didn’t have any problems with the software up until now, but today we encountered an error.”