So Far vs. Until

Attribute	So Far	Until
Definition	Up to this point in time or extent	Up to a particular point in time or extent
Usage	Used to indicate the progress or extent of something	Used to indicate the point in time or extent at which something will happen or change
Duration	Reflects the progress or extent of something up to the present moment	Indicates the point in time or extent at which something will be completed or change
Context	Commonly used in discussing progress, achievements, or events that have occurred	Commonly used in discussing deadlines, goals, or events that will happen in the future

Definition and Usage

So far and until are both terms used to indicate a point in time or a limit in duration. So far is used to show the extent of progress or time that has passed up to the present moment. For example, "I have read three chapters of the book so far." On the other hand, until is used to indicate the time or event up to which something will happen or continue. For example, "The store will be open until 9 pm."

Temporal Scope

One key difference between so far and until is their temporal scope. So far refers to the time or progress that has already occurred leading up to the present moment. It looks back at what has been done or achieved. In contrast, until looks forward to a future point in time or event when something will happen or cease to happen. It sets a boundary for the duration of an action or state.

Directionality

Another distinction between so far and until is their directionality. So far is often used in a retrospective sense, looking back at the progress or time that has passed. It is used to reflect on what has been accomplished or experienced. On the other hand, until is typically used in a prospective sense, looking forward to a future point in time or event. It is used to set a deadline or endpoint for an action or state.

Usage in Sentences

So far is commonly used in sentences to indicate the extent of progress or time that has passed. For example, "I have completed half of my homework so far." It is often followed by a verb phrase to show the action that has been taken. Until, on the other hand, is used to specify the time or event up to which something will happen or continue. For example, "The exhibition will be on display until the end of the month."

Implications for Actions

The use of so far and until can have different implications for actions or events. So far implies a sense of continuity or ongoing progress, suggesting that the action or state will continue into the future. It emphasizes the journey or process leading up to the present moment. In contrast, until implies a sense of finality or completion, indicating that the action or state will come to an end at a specified time or event. It sets a limit on the duration of the action or state.

Examples in Context

To further illustrate the differences between so far and until, consider the following examples:

• "I have been studying for the exam so far, but I still have a lot of material to cover."
• "The sale will continue until the end of the week, so make sure to take advantage of the discounts."

Conclusion

In conclusion, so far and until are both important terms for indicating time, progress, and limits in duration. While so far looks back at the progress or time that has passed up to the present moment, until looks forward to a future point in time or event. Understanding the differences between these terms can help clarify the temporal scope and directionality of actions or events in sentences.