Guide 161 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read

Better ways to say “to date”

Common in business writing; "so far" is usually shorter and warmer.

i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler

"To date" is a fossil of commercial Latin — ad datum, "to the date of this writing." It signals a cut-off point, but in most sentences "so far" or nothing at all does the same.

ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo

Before

We have shipped 40 units to date.

After

We have shipped 40 units so far.

iii · The alternatives4 ways out

01

So far neutral

progress snapshot

We have shipped 40 units so far.
02

Thus far formal

formal alternative

We have shipped 40 units thus far.
03

Already neutral

emphasise the count

We have already shipped 40 units.
04

[delete it] neutral

when running total is clear

We have shipped 40 units.

iv · Brew tipKeep this one

If you're not drawing a second line later, don't draw the first one now.