Till This Day or To This Day? The Answer + 20 Examples

You are writing about a memory that never left you, and you pause. Should it be “to this day” or “till this day”?

The short answer: go with “to this day.” It is the standard way to say that something began in the past and is still true now. 

The other version is understandable and you will hear it in speech and songs, but editors rarely prefer it.

The confusion makes sense, because “till” is a real word that means the same as “until.” Idioms, though, follow habit, not logic. 

In this guide you will see what the phrase means, how it compares with options like “up to now” and “to date,” and which mistakes to avoid.

The Quick Answer

If you want to say…	Use this	Example
Something is still true now	To this day	I remember her advice to this day.
Something ended at a time	Till / until	We waited till midnight.
A total up to now	To date	We have sold 500 copies to date.

If you remember only one line from this article, make it this: “to this day” for things that continue, “till/until” for things that stop.

What Does “To This Day” Mean?

“To this day” means up to now or even now. It links something from the past with the present and tells the reader that nothing has changed in between.

For example:

To this day, I remember my first teacher.

The speaker remembered the teacher then, and still remembers now.

The cause of the fire remains unknown to this day.

The mystery was not solved then, and it is still not solved.

Where do we use it?

The phrase usually describes things that last a long time:

• Memories: “I still remember that conversation to this day.”
• Traditions: “The town celebrates the festival to this day.”
• Mysteries: “Nobody knows where the letter went to this day.”
• Feelings and habits: “She regrets that decision to this day.”
• Things that survive: “The old bridge still stands to this day.”

Is it formal or informal?

Both. You can say it in a chat with a friend, write it in a school essay, or use it in a news article. That flexibility is one reason it is such a safe choice.

Read More: New Year or New Years? The Correct Spelling and Grammar Explained

What Does “Till This Day” Mean?

“Till this day” means the same as “to this day”: up to now, or even now. It is just a less standard version of the idiom, and you will mostly hear it in speech, songs, and casual posts.

For example:

Till this day, I remember her smile.

This means the speaker remembered her smile then, and still remembers it now.

Here is what the close variations mean:

Phrase	Meaning	Note
Till this day	Up to now	Casual; “to this day” is safer
Until this day	Up to now	Understood, but rarely used
Til this day	Up to now	Shows up in lyrics and poems; avoid in formal writing
Till this very day	Up to now, with extra emphasis	The standard version is “to this very day”
Till this date	Up to today’s date	Used for records (see the date section below)
Till the day / till that day	Until a specific day	A different meaning, explained below
Till these days	Not standard	Say “these days” (nowadays) or “to this day”
Till day	Not a complete phrase	Usually part of a longer one, like “till daybreak”

The key difference is simple. “This day” points to the present, so the phrase connects the past to now. “The day” or “that day” points to one specific moment, so the phrase is an end point.

We waited till that day. (we waited until a day mentioned earlier)
I will love you till the day I die. (until the day that I die)

Is “Till This Day” Wrong?

Not exactly, and this is where many articles oversimplify. Readers will understand “till this day” without any trouble. It just is not the standard form of this particular idiom. Compare:

To this day, I cannot explain what happened.
Till this day, I cannot explain what happened.

Both communicate the same idea, but the first sounds natural to most native speakers, and the second sounds slightly off or informal.

“Till” is a real word

Here is a fact that surprises many learners: “till” is not a short form of “until.” According to Grammarly, it is a separate word and is actually older than “until” by several hundred years. That means you should never write it with an apostrophe.

So the problem with “till this day” is not the word “till.” The problem is that the fixed expression people use is “to this day.” Idioms are like that: swapping one word can make a phrase sound unusual even when each word is correct on its own.

What about “‘til”?

Avoid it. Many writers believe “‘til” is the proper shortened form of “until,” but most usage guides and editors treat it as an error. Use “till” or “until” instead.

To This Day vs. Till This Day vs. Other Versions

Here is how the common variations compare.

Phrase	How natural is it?	Best use
To this day	Standard, most natural	Memories, traditions, mysteries, lasting situations
Till this day	Understood, but less conventional	Casual speech; avoid in formal writing
Until this day	Understood, but can sound awkward	Better to rephrase
Up to this day	Natural, a little more formal	Written or formal contexts
Even to this day	Natural, adds emphasis	Stressing that nothing has changed
To this date	Natural for status or records	“To this date, no decision has been made.”

Which one should you choose? For school work, blogs, business writing, and everyday English, choose “to this day.” If you want extra emphasis, “even to this day” works well. If you are reporting progress or a record, “to date” is the better tool.

Up To This Day, Up Till This Day and Up Until This Day

“Up to this day” is correct and natural. It means the same as “to this day” and sounds a little more formal. “Up till this day” and “up until this day” are understood, but they are less standard.

The extra “up” does not change the meaning. It only stresses how long something has lasted.

Up to this day, the case has not been solved.
The shop has stayed in the same family up to this day.

In short, “up to this day” means up to now, and “up until this day” means the same with a bit more stress on the time span. For school work, blogs, and business writing, use “up to this day” or simply “to this day.”

Why Do People Say “Till This Day”?

There are a few simple reasons:

1. “Till” and “until” mean the same thing. If you say “wait till Friday,” it is natural to think “till this day” works the same way.
2. Speech and music. People hear it in conversation, songs, and informal posts, so it feels familiar.
3. Regional habits. In some varieties of English, people use it more often in everyday speech.
4. Logic over idiom. Learners often build phrases from the meaning of each word, which usually works but sometimes misses the fixed form.

None of this makes the speaker wrong as a person, but if your goal is clean, professional writing, “to this day” is the stronger option.

Is There a British vs American Difference?

No. “To this day” is the standard idiom in both British and American English, and “till this day” is the casual variant in both.

Major dictionaries list “to this day” without a UK or US label, but please verify in the dictionary or style guide you follow. The same goes for “till” and “until”: both are used on both sides of the Atlantic, and “until” simply sounds a little more formal.

20 Examples of “To This Day” in a Sentence

Reading examples is the fastest way to get a feel for the phrase.

1. I remember my first day at school to this day.
2. To this day, she regrets that decision.
3. His advice continues to guide me to this day.
4. The cause of the accident remains unknown to this day.
5. My father still tells that story to this day.
6. To this day, nobody knows where the letter went.
7. The old tradition continues to this day.
8. She remembers her childhood home to this day.
9. The town still celebrates the festival to this day.
10. To this day, I cannot explain what I saw.
11. His music remains popular to this day.
12. The family keeps the old photograph to this day.
13. To this day, they remain close friends.
14. The fort still stands to this day.
15. I have never forgotten her kindness to this day.
16. Historians debate the event to this day.
17. To this day, he refuses to talk about that summer.
18. The recipe has not changed to this day.
19. Even to this day, the story gives me chills.
20. The village keeps the old custom alive to this day.

Notice the pattern. Each sentence connects a past event, habit, or situation with the present. That connection is the heart of the phrase.

Where Should “To This Day” Go in a Sentence?

It is flexible. You can put it at the start or at the end.

At the beginning (more emphasis):

To this day, I remember the promise he made.

At the end (more natural flow):

I remember the promise he made to this day.

Both are correct.

Do you need a comma?

When the phrase opens a sentence, add a comma after it: “To this day, I remember that moment.” At the end of a sentence, you normally do not need one: “I remember that moment to this day.”

Can You Say “And To This Day” or “Still To This Day”?

Yes, both are natural. “And to this day” links a past event to the present in a story. “Still to this day” adds a little emphasis.

He planted the tree in 1990, and to this day it gives shade to the street.
Still to this day, she writes him a letter every year.

You can also use the phrase as a short comment: “That advice is still true to this day.” This means the advice remains correct now.

“And till this day” and “still till this day” follow the same pattern, but the “to this day” versions are the better choice.

“To This Day” vs. “Up Till Now,” “As Yet,” and “To Date”

Learners often mix these because they all point to the present. They are not interchangeable, so here is what each one does.

To this day

Best for lasting memories, traditions, and unchanged situations. It carries a feeling of continuity, as if nothing has changed.

The tradition survives to this day.

Up to now / until now / up till now

These are neutral and simply mean “until the present moment.” They often suggest that something might change soon.

The key difference from “to this day” is that “up to now” often hints at a change coming, while “to this day” stresses that nothing has changed.

As yet

“As yet” means “up to the present time” and is almost always used with negative or incomplete situations. It sounds formal.

As yet, we have not received the letter.

It would sound odd to say “I remember her to as yet.”

To date

Use “to date” for totals, records, and progress.

The team has published six papers to date.

I remember my childhood to date. ❌ (awkward)

So far / thus far

These describe progress up to now and suggest the story is not finished.

So far, the trip has been wonderful.

A quick way to choose:

• Emotional or historical continuity → to this day
• Something has not happened yet → as yet
• Numbers or progress → to date
• General “until now” → up to now

To This Day vs To This Date vs Till Date vs Till Today

Use “to this day” for memories and lasting situations. Use “to this date” or “to date” for records and status updates. “Till date” and “till today” are common in speech and emails, but “to date” is cleaner in formal writing.

Phrase	Meaning	Best use
To this day	Still true now	Memories, traditions, mysteries
To this date	Up to the present date	Records and status: “To this date, no reply has been received.”
To date	Up to now	Totals and progress: “We have sold 500 copies to date.”
Till date	Up to now	Informal or office English; “to date” is better
Till today	Up to today	Casual and spoken
Till this date	Up to today	Understood; “to this date” sounds better
Till to date	Not standard	Two time words in one phrase; use “to date”

A quick way to choose: if you are describing a feeling or a lasting situation, use “day.” If you are reporting a fact or a record, use “date.”

Till vs Until: Which Is Correct?

Since the confusion starts here, let’s clear it up. “Till” and “until” mean exactly the same thing: they show when something starts, stops, or reaches a point.

I will work until five o’clock.
I will work till five o’clock.

Both are correct. A few details are worth knowing:

• “Until” is slightly more formal. Many people see it as the safer choice for essays and business writing.
• “Till” is slightly more casual, but it is still fully correct, even in formal writing.
• Rhythm matters. Sometimes the single syllable of “till” fits a sentence better.
• Some readers think “till” is an abbreviation, so in very formal documents “until” avoids any doubt.

Now the important contrast:

She waited until the bus arrived. (when the waiting ended)
She remembers the journey to this day. (a memory that continues now)

“Till/until” mark an end point. “To this day” marks a continuing state. Once you see that difference, choosing between them is easy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using “till this day” in formal writing

Less conventional: Till this day, I remember his words.
Better: To this day, I remember his words.

Mistake 2: Spelling it “untill”

Incorrect: I remember that moment untill this day.
Correct: I remember that moment to this day.

“Until” has only one “l” at the end.

Mistake 3: Confusing “to this day” with “today”

“Today” refers to the current day. “To this day” refers to something that has continued from the past.

I will finish the report today.
I still remember that report to this day.

Mistake 4: Using “to date” for emotions or memories

Awkward: I remember my childhood to date.
Better: I remember my childhood to this day.

Mistake 5: Writing “‘til”

Use “till” or “until” instead.

Mistake 6: Adding “still” and “to this day” together too often

“I still remember her to this day” is correct, but using both can feel repetitive. Pick one for a cleaner sentence unless you want extra emphasis.

Mistake 7: Stacking Two Time Words Together

Do not put “until” or “till” before “to this day.” The phrase already contains “to,” so adding another time word doubles it.

Incorrect: I remember her words until to this day.
Correct: I remember her words to this day.

The same problem appears in “up till to this day” and “till to date.” Choose one: “to this day” or “to date.”

A Simple Memory Trick

Picture a thread that starts in the past and runs all the way to today. That thread is “to this day.”

Now picture a finish line. A race that runs till or until the line stops there. That is “till/until.”

• Thread to the present → to this day
• Finish line → till / until

Quick Quiz: To This Day or Till This Day?

Test yourself with these five sentences. The answers are below.

1. I have loved this song ____. (to this day / until to this day)
2. Please wait ____ Friday. (till / to this day)
3. We have completed ten projects ____. (to date / to this day)
4. ____, I cannot explain what happened. (To this day / Till this day, formal essay)
5. She stayed awake ____ midnight. (till / to this day)

Answers:

1. To this day. “Until to this day” stacks two time words.
2. Till. It marks an end point. “Till” and “until” are both fine.
3. To date. It reports progress.
4. To this day. “Till this day” is understood but less standard.
5. Till. It marks an end point, not a continuing state.

Key Takeaways

• To this day is the standard phrase for something that continues into the present.
• Till this day is understood but less conventional.
• Till and until are both correct for time limits; ‘til is best avoided.
• To date suits totals and progress; as yet suits things not yet done.
• Use “to this day” in essays, blogs, and professional writing.

FAQs

1. Is it “to this day” or “till this day”?

“To this day” is the standard expression. It means something has continued up to the present. “Till this day” is understood but less conventional, so use “to this day” in school, work, and published writing.

2. Is “till this day” grammatically correct?

The grammar is not broken, and “till” is a real word. The issue is idiom, not grammar. Because “to this day” is the established form, “till this day” can sound unusual or informal to editors and native speakers.

3. What does “to this day” mean?

It means “up to now” or “even now.” For example, “I remember her advice to this day” means the advice is still in the speaker’s mind.

4. Is “until this day” correct?

It is understandable but less natural. If you mean something that continues now, “to this day” or “up to this day” sounds better. “Until this day” can also suggest that something changed on that day.

5. Can I use “till” instead of “until”?

Yes. They mean the same thing, and “till” is actually older. “Until” is just slightly more formal, so choose it if you want to be extra safe in formal documents.

6. What is the difference between “to this day” and “to date”?

“To this day” highlights lasting memories, traditions, or situations. “To date” reports progress or totals up to now, as in “We have completed ten projects to date.”

7. What can I say instead of “to this day”?

Depending on the sentence, try “even now,” “still,” “up to the present day,” or “up to now.” Each has a slightly different tone, so check that it fits your meaning.

8. Is “‘til” correct?

Most dictionaries and style guides treat it as a mistake in standard writing. Use “till” or “until” instead.

Conclusion:

When you want to say that something from the past is still true, “to this day” is your best choice.

It is natural, widely accepted, and works in everything from casual messages to professional articles.

“Till this day” is understandable, but it is less standard, so save yourself the doubt and skip it.

Remember that “till” itself is a perfectly good word. Use it freely for time limits (“wait till Friday”), and use “to this day” for memories, traditions, mysteries, and anything that has lasted into the present.