Understanding ‘Till’: A Key Word for IELTS Success
Learn how to use ’till’ correctly in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks. This video covers the meaning, usage, and common mistakes to avoid with this important time-related word.
Imagine you’re at a shop, and the cashier says, “We’re open till nine tonight.” Do you know what “till” means in this context?
Today, we’re going to learn about the word “till” and how to use it correctly in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks.
Word type: Till can function as a preposition, conjunction, and even a verb. In this lesson, we’ll focus on its most common use as a preposition.
Meaning: As a preposition, till means up to the point in time or the event mentioned. It’s used to indicate a time or event that marks the end of an action or state.
Word history: Till comes from an old Norse word meaning to reach or attain. It has been used in English for centuries.
Antonyms: There aren’t direct antonyms for till, but words with opposite meanings include from or since, which indicate the starting point of an action or state.
Synonyms: The most common synonym for till is until. Other similar words include up to and as far as when referring to time.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples to help you understand how to use till in your own speaking and writing.
One. The library is open till eight pm on weekdays. Two. I worked on my essay till midnight to finish it on time.
Three. The children played in the park till it started to rain. Four. We won’t know the results till next week.
Common errors in use: Some learners confuse till with other words or use it incorrectly. Here are two common mistakes to avoid:
First, don’t confuse till with until in formal writing. While they mean the same thing, until is considered more formal and is preferred in academic writing.
Second, avoid using till when you mean by. For example, don’t say “Please finish the task till Friday.”
Instead, say “Please finish the task by Friday.” To wrap up, till is a useful word for expressing time limits in English.
It’s similar to until but more casual. Remember to use it for end points in time, and practice using it in your own sentences.
The more you use it, the more natural it will become in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks.
