now
now — noun
1. the current point in time or the short period that exists at this moment, rather
the current point in time or the short period that exists at this moment, rather than in the past or in the future
Now is the perfect moment for Élise to tell her family about the job offer.
noun as subject: now is the [time/moment]
For now, the shelves are empty, but Tendai said new books arrive next week.
prepositional object: for now
Until now, Renata had never tried sushi, but she loved it at the birthday party.
preposition: until now + past-perfect contrast
By now, the repair team should have fixed the leak in the kitchen pipe.
- for now
- by now
- until now
- up to now
- right now
- from now
- the present
more formal; used in philosophical or general statements
- the present moment
emphasises a single point rather than a period
- the current time
more neutral and journalistic in tone
- the past
time before the present moment
- the future
time yet to come after the present
Grammar Patterns
now is the time/moment to [do something]
for now
by now
until now
up to now
from now
Usage Note
Frequently follows prepositions such as 'for', 'by', 'until', and 'from' to refer to the current period. Unlike most nouns, 'now' does not take an article and is uncountable — you cannot say 'the now' or 'a now.'
Common Mistakes
2. the time that begins at this present moment and continues without limit into all
the time that begins at this present moment and continues without limit into all future time
From now on, Hyun will walk to school with his neighbor every morning.
fixed phrase: from now on + future intention
As of now, the company no longer uses plastic bags in any of its stores.
fixed phrase: as of now + new policy
From now on, Stephanie will double-check all the numbers before sending the report.
fixed phrase: from now on + work habit
As of now, visitors must show their ID cards at the front desk before entering the building.
- from now on
- as of now
- from this point forward
more formal; used in written documents and announcements
- henceforth
very formal; used in legal or official contexts
- from this moment onward
emphasises the immediate starting point
- from then on
refers to a past starting point, not the present
Grammar Patterns
from now on
as of now
Usage Note
Always appears as part of the fixed phrases 'from now on' or 'as of now.' These phrases mark a permanent change or new rule that applies from this moment forward. Cannot stand alone as a subject — 'Now is…' belongs to sense 1.
Common Mistakes
now — adjective
1. describes something that is currently popular, stylish, and reflects the latest
describes something that is currently popular, stylish, and reflects the latest taste or trend of the moment.
Yara's new haircut is very now — everyone at school wants the same style.
'very now' for emphasis on current trendiness
The restaurant serves a very now menu with dishes inspired by street food.
attributive use: 'a now menu' before a noun
Jisoo thinks her vintage jacket suddenly looks so now again this season.
'looks so now' for appearance of trendiness
That clean white look is so now among young architects in Taipei.
Yasmin thinks the orange sofa does not look very now, but she keeps it anyway.
- very now
- so now
- really now
- not now
- now look
- now artist
- now style
- trendy
more common and widely understood across registers; 'now' carries a more informal, insider tone
- fashionable
broader and more formal; not limited to the current moment's trend
- hip
more about being part of a subculture than mainstream style
- old-fashioned
direct opposite — belonging to or favouring styles of the past
- outdated
no longer current or suitable for the present time
Grammar Patterns
be + (intensifier) + now for things that are trending
look/seem/feel + (intensifier) + now for appearance of trendiness
Usage Note
Frequently needs an intensifier such as 'very', 'so', or 'really' to sound natural in most contexts. Without one, the sentence may feel incomplete or forced.
Common Mistakes
now — abbreviation
1. a US organization that works to achieve equal rights and opportunities for women
a US organization that works to achieve equal rights and opportunities for women, founded in 1966
NOW was founded in 1966 to campaign for equal pay and reproductive rights.
abbreviation used as proper-noun subject
Ritu attended her first NOW meeting to learn about the new workplace equality bill.
attended + [possessive] NOW meeting
Astrid found a list of NOW policy goals on the organization's website.
The local NOW chapter endorsed Anthony's proposal for paid family leave.
collocation: local NOW chapter + action verb
- founded NOW
- NOW chapter
- NOW members
- NOW conference
- NOW president
- join NOW
Usage Note
Always spelled in full capitals (NOW) to distinguish it from the common adverb 'now.' The abbreviation functions as a proper noun and can be used with articles ('the NOW chapter') or possessives ('NOW's president'). Most commonly seen in news reports and political discussions about gender equality in the United States.
Common Mistakes
now — adverb
1. the current moment you are experiencing, as opposed to earlier or later points i
the current moment you are experiencing, as opposed to earlier or later points in time.
Imran is busy now, so could you call back later?
mid-position: after be-verb
Right now, the children are playing in the garden.
collocation: right now for emphasis
The manager is in a meeting now and cannot take your call.
What are you doing now that you have finished college?
collocation: now that + clause
- right now
- just now
- even now
- now that
- at the moment
slightly more formal; British English prefers 'at the moment' for ongoing situations
- currently
more formal; used in writing and professional contexts
- presently
formal; more common in American English for 'now' (though it can also mean 'soon')
2. without any delay; at once, because the situation requires quick action.
without any delay; at once, because the situation requires quick action.
Put that knife down now, before someone gets hurt!
imperative command for urgent action
The doctor needs to see you now — it is an emergency.
If you smell gas, leave the building now and call the fire department.
conditional + imperative: urgent instruction
Stop the car now, Erik — a dog just ran into the middle of the road!
- right now
- now or never
- now, now
- immediately
more formal; often used in official or written instructions
- at once
similar urgency; common in both speech and writing
- right away
informal; common in everyday conversation
- later
at a future, unspecified time
Usage Note
Common in imperative sentences and warnings. 'Now' in this sense often receives strong stress in speech to signal urgency.
Common Mistakes
3. from some point in the past up to this present moment, used particularly with pe
from some point in the past up to this present moment, used particularly with perfect tenses to indicate duration or continued activity.
We have been waiting for the train now for nearly an hour.
present perfect progressive + now + duration
Faisal has lived in that small town now for over twenty years.
They have now been married for a decade and still seem very happy together.
mid-position: have now been
By now the children should already be asleep.
collocation: by now
- by now
- now for
- until now
- up to now
Grammar Patterns
now + present perfect / present perfect progressive
Usage Note
Typically paired with present perfect or present perfect progressive tenses. 'By now' is a fixed expression that means 'at this point (as expected).'
Common Mistakes
4. used when telling a story to signal a new development or situation in the past s
used when telling a story to signal a new development or situation in the past sequence of events.
Entering the dark hall, the prince now saw the dragon for the first time.
narrative shift within past-tense story
Yael had never liked flying, but now the plane doors had closed with no chance of turning back.
named subject + concrete scene (plane doors closing)
After marching for three days, the soldiers now stood at the enemy camp's edge.
time jump within past narrative
Madison opened the old letter slowly. Now the truth was finally clear to her.
- and now
- but now
- now...then
- then
more neutral time-sequence marker; less dramatic than 'now'
- at that moment
more explicit; used for specific turning points in a story
- at this point
slightly more formal; common in written narratives
Usage Note
In this narrative sense, 'now' is used within a past-tense story to create a sense of immediacy, as if the events are unfolding before the reader's eyes. It is common in fiction and oral storytelling.
5. under the changed situation that has developed from what was just said, done, or
under the changed situation that has developed from what was just said, done, or decided, forming the logical next step.
You have finished all your homework, so now you can watch television.
so now + result clause
The airline lost our luggage, and now we have nothing to wear for the wedding.
Karim finally admitted he was wrong, so now they can start solving the problem together.
so now + new possibility after resolution
The rain has stopped, so now we can go for a walk.
- so now
- and now
- now then
- as a result
more formal; places emphasis on cause-and-effect logic
- consequently
formal; used in academic and professional writing
- so
more concise; replaces both 'so now' with a single word in informal contexts
Grammar Patterns
so now + clause
Usage Note
Often follows 'so' or 'and' to connect a cause (the earlier statement or action) to its logical consequence. 'Now that' is a related conjunction that introduces the cause clause.
Common Mistakes
6. in a very short time from this moment; almost immediately, often suggesting the
in a very short time from this moment; almost immediately, often suggesting the event is about to begin or arrive.
The train will be arriving now, so we should get ready.
future continuous for imminent event
Dinner will be ready now — please wash your hands.
Haruto should be arriving at our door any minute now.
fixed expression: any minute now
The concert will be starting any moment now, so Tanvi and I should find our seats.
- any minute now
- any day now
- now...soon
- shortly
more formal; implies 'within a short time' rather than 'immediately'
- momentarily
American English; means 'very soon' (in British English, it means 'for a moment')
- in a moment
neutral register; interchangeable with 'now' in this sense
- much later
far in the future, not soon
Grammar Patterns
will + be + -ing + now
be about to + now
Usage Note
Can overlap with sense 1 (at the present time) in some contexts — the difference is that sense 6 anticipates something that is about to happen, while sense 1 describes something that is currently happening. Context and tense usually make the meaning clear.
Common Mistakes
7. used at the start of a sentence or clause to signal that you are moving to a dif
used at the start of a sentence or clause to signal that you are moving to a different point, question, or activity.
Now, about the school trip next month — have we told the parents yet?
now + comma introducing a new topic
That covers the grammar for today. Now, let us move on to the listening exercise.
now marking a transition between lesson stages
Now, on a completely different note, has anyone seen my blue notebook?
now + set phrase for sudden topic change
Now, before we finish, let me remind everyone about the bake sale this Saturday.
- now + about
- now + let us
- now + for
Grammar Patterns
now + clause (topic shift)
Usage Note
Always appears at or near the start of the utterance. It does not add factual meaning — it is a discourse marker that signals a shift. Often followed by a comma in writing.
Common Mistakes
8. used before a statement, question, or command to make it sound stronger, more ur
used before a statement, question, or command to make it sound stronger, more urgent, or more important.
Now, do not forget to lock the back door before you leave for work.
now + imperative for urgent instruction
Now, what exactly do you mean by that, Paloma? I really want to understand.
now + question pressing for an explanation
Now, I really must insist that you call your mother before she starts to worry.
Now, that is exactly the kind of behaviour I will not tolerate in this classroom.
now + declarative for firm boundary
Now, what on earth is going on here? Élise, please explain.
- now + imperative
- now + question
- now then
Grammar Patterns
now + clause (emphatic statement)
now + imperative
Usage Note
Common in warnings, reminders, and persistent questions. The tone depends on context — it can be friendly ('Now, let me help you.') or firm ('Now, listen to me.'). Distinguish from sense 7: here 'now' adds emotional weight rather than simply changing the subject.
Common Mistakes
9. a very short time before the present moment, usually with 'just' or in expressio
a very short time before the present moment, usually with 'just' or in expressions such as 'just now'.
Kofi was here just now, but I think he went to grab coffee with Talia.
just now + past tense for recent event
Christopher said just now that the package arrived this morning, not yesterday.
just now clarifying a recent action
The little girl was crying just now, but Sirin gave her a sweet and she smiled.
Nila told me just now that the train is delayed by about twenty minutes.
just now conveying recent news
Do you remember what Eric said just now about the new schedule for next week?
- just now
- but now
- just
shorter; works in all varieties of English ('I just saw him')
- a moment ago
more formal and less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
just now
now + past tense
Usage Note
Most natural in British English. In American English 'just' alone (without 'now') is more common for the recent past. Typically used with past simple tense, not present perfect.
Common Mistakes
Something that happens sometimes, but not regularly or often.
Mia visits her grandmother every now and then.
Every now and again, the dog barks at nothing.
Used to introduce a new topic or activity after finishing the previous one.
Now for the main course, we have grilled salmon.
Now for some good news: you all passed the test.
now, now
idiomUsed to gently tell someone that their behavior is not acceptable.
Now, now, don't be so rude to your sister.
Now, now, let's not argue about this.
now… now…
idiomUsed to describe something that changes from one state to another repeatedly.
The baby was now laughing, now crying.
The wind blew now gently, now fiercely.
(it’s) now or never
idiomSaid when you must act immediately or lose the chance forever.
It's now or never to ask for a raise.
Now or never, jump into the pool!
now then
idiomUsed to gently express disapproval or to get someone's attention before speaking.
Now then, what's all this noise about?
Now then, stop fighting and listen to me.
now what?
idiomUsed to show annoyance when someone keeps interrupting or asking questions.
‘Mom, can I ask something?’ ‘Now what?’
‘The computer isn't working.’ ‘Now what?’
now — conjunction
1. used before a clause that gives the reason for something, referring to a situati
used before a clause that gives the reason for something, referring to a situation that has just started or changed — for example, saying that since the rain has stopped, the children can go outside.
Now that Amira has a car, she can drive to work instead of taking the bus.
now that + clause showing cause-effect
Now that Gabriel has recovered from his illness, he can return to school.
Now that the rain has stopped, the children are playing in the garden.
now that + clause with natural change of situation
Now that we have finished the painting, we should clean the brushes.
- now that + clause
- now (that) + subject + verb
- since
more commonly used than 'now that' in formal writing; both express cause based on a known fact
- given that
slightly more formal and emphasizes the premise as accepted knowledge
- seeing that
informal or conversational tone, common in British English
Grammar Patterns
now (that) + clause — introduces a reason based on a new or changed situation
Usage Note
Often followed by 'that' (now that), though 'that' may be dropped in informal speech. The clause describes a new or changed situation that serves as the reason for the main clause.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- nowadaysadverbB1
- nowayadverb
- nohowadverb
Synonym discussion
Sense: adverb/1
The different parts of speech of 'now' represent distinct grammatical functions rather than competing synonyms. The adverb (adverb/1, 'at the present time') is the core temporal sense — it modifies verbs and clauses to locate action in the present moment. The noun sense ('the present moment') functions as a subject or object of a preposition ('for now,' 'by now'), treating time as a concept rather than a modifier. The conjunction ('now that') shifts from temporal meaning to a causal-logical one: it introduces a changed situation as the reason for the main statement. The adjective ('fashionable') is a 20th-century development that reinterprets 'the current time' as 'representing what is current/trendy,' a usage restricted to informal registers and typically needing an intensifier ('very now'). These four POSes are not interchangeable — 'I understand now' (adverb) means something quite different from 'the now is fleeting' (noun) or 'now that you mention it' (conjunction) — and a learner needs to recognise the sentence position and surrounding structure to tell them apart.
Common collocations
Adverbs
- right now
- just now
- even now
- quite now
Phrases
- now and then
- now or never
- from now on
- now and again
- any minute now
- now that
- now, now
- now then
Prepositions
- by now
- for now
- until now
- from now
- up to now
Etymology
From Old English 'nū', descended from Proto-Germanic '*nu' and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*nu' meaning 'at the present time.' Cognates include German 'nun', Dutch 'nu', and Latin 'nunc' (with an added -c suffix). The conjunction use ('now that') developed in Middle English, and the adjective sense ('fashionable') emerged in the 20th century.