The phrase "September 11th until today" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase. Its grammatical role is to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by specifying a duration of time. The phrase defines a temporal range, indicating the period over which an action or state has occurred or existed, beginning on a specific historical date and continuing to the present moment.
A detailed breakdown reveals its structure and function. The core of the phrase is the preposition "until," which establishes a relationship between a starting point and an endpoint. The proper noun "September 11th" serves as the temporal starting point. The noun "today" acts as the object of the preposition, marking the end of the time frame. As a cohesive unit, this prepositional phrase answers the adverbial question "for how long?" or "during what period?". For example, in the sentence, "This policy has been in effect from September 11th until today," the phrase modifies the verb phrase "has been in effect," clarifying its duration.
For the purpose of an article, classifying this keyword as an adverbial phrase is crucial because it frames the central theme as an analysis of events, changes, or conditions occurring within that specific time frame. It directs the focus not on the time period as a static noun, but on the actions, developments, and continuous processes that have transpired from that starting point to the present. The article's thesis would inherently be concerned with an evolution, a continuity, or a consequence that is temporally defined by this duration.
