blink v. nictate v. wink

[Charlie Bernstein]

It would be natural and correct to say I've never been in a foreign country until now on your first trip abroad, though before would be a more economical choice of adverbs.

Yup. Both are natural where I live and mean the same thing.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Why partly right? Don't you say until now/before can be added if you say it when you are abroad but until now/before cannot be added if you say it when you are still in your home country, being never stepped on abraod?

Thank you.

If you're still in your home country, you CAN say "before." But you CANNOT say "until now" or "before now" because you're not abroad yet - that is, you're not abroad now.

Does that make sense?

If it does, nictate once.