📝 Daily Short Practice
🎯 Vocabulary Goal
Learn useful common English chunks to talk about actions and events that have happened by a certain time.
📚 Words & Phrases
| Word or phrase | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
so far |
up to this point in time | So far, I have completed three chapters of the book. |
|
up to now |
until the present moment | Up to now, nobody has answered my question. |
|
until now |
before this moment; before something changes | Until now, I didn’t understand how this machine works. |
🔍 See It in Context
Talking about progress and experience
Anna was asked about the project progress. She said, “So far, we have finished two important parts. Up to now, no problems have occurred in the process. Until now, all the team members have worked hard and met their deadlines.” Then, Mark added, “We plan to complete the next steps soon. So far, everything is on track.” They used these phrases to explain what has happened by this time and what their current situation is.
💡 Notice the Pattern
Using so far, up to now and until now
These phrases all refer to actions or events from the past to the present. Use 'so far' to talk about progress made by now. Use 'up to now' to describe what has happened until the current moment. Use 'until now' when something was true before but might change.
- So far, I have read five emails today.
- Until now, I didn’t know how to solve this problem.
💬 Useful Examples
- So far, the meeting has lasted two hours.
- Up to now, I have not received your response.
- Until now, she has been responsible for ordering supplies.
- We have completed seven tasks so far this month.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1.
____, we have finished the first phase of the project (So far / at first / in the end).
2.
No problems have appeared ____ in the development process (at first / up to now / eventually).
3.
____, I didn’t understand the instructions, but now I do (so far / in most cases / Until now).
4.
We have not received any complaints ____ from customers (so far / at first / in the end).
5.
____, the team has reached all its monthly goals (at first / Up to now / eventually).
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1.
So far, I have saved enough money.
2.
Up to now, the event has been successful.
3.
Until now, I didn’t understand the instructions.
4.
We have not had any errors so far.
5.
Up to now, no one has replied to the email.
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1.
Which phrase means 'up to this point in time' when talking about progress?
2.
Choose the phrase that fits: '____, the report had not been finished, but it is complete now.'
3.
Which phrase would you use to mean 'until the present moment'?
4.
Which sentence correctly uses 'so far'?
5.
Which phrase best fits the meaning 'before this moment but may change soon'?
📝 Use It Yourself
Write 2 or 3 sentences about your progress in learning English using 'so far', 'up to now' or 'until now'.
Example:
So far, I have watched many English lessons online. Up to now, I have improved my listening skills a lot. Until now, I didn’t feel confident speaking, but I am getting better.
🎙️ Speaking Practice
Practice these sentences aloud.
Say:
So far, I have finished reading the report.
Say:
Up to now, nobody has replied to my email.
Say:
Until now, I didn’t know the meeting was canceled.
Ask:
Can you tell me what you have done so far on the project?
🔎 Answer Key
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1. So far
2. up to now
3. Until now
4. so far
5. Up to now
Exercise 2 – Matching
1. d – Up to this point in time, the saving is enough.
2. e – Until the present moment, the event is going well.
3. a – Before this moment, the instructions were unclear to me.
4. b – Errors have not happened yet.
5. c – Until the current moment, there is no reply.
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1. so far
2. Until now
3. up to now
4. He has learned three languages so far.
5. until now