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Meaning & use

now

adverb, conjunction, noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/naʊ/
US/naʊ/

Meanings

  1. adverbnot comparable

    At this moment, or at the time being discussed.

    Grammar: Can sit at the start, middle, or end of a clause: now I understand; I understand now.

    Patterns

    • right now
    • from now on

    I am busy now, so can I call you later?

    The store is now open seven days a week.

    She now lives in Canada.

  2. adverbnot comparable

    Immediately, without waiting any longer.

    Grammar: Usually goes at the end of a command or request.

    Patterns

    • do something now

    Put your phone away now.

    We need to leave now if we want to catch the train.

    Tell me the truth now.

  3. adverbnot comparableinformal

    Used in speech to introduce a point, change the subject, or soften a statement.

    Grammar: Comes first in a sentence and is followed by a comma.

    Patterns

    • now then
    • now, ...

    Now, let's look at the second question.

    Now, that's not quite what I meant.

    Now, where did I leave my keys?

  4. conjunctionfixed phrase

    Because of the fact that, usually in the pattern now that.

    Grammar: Appears as now that before a full clause: now that you are here, we can start.

    Patterns

    • now that + clause

    Now that the exams are over, I can relax.

    Now we have a car, we can visit more often.

    We can eat now that everyone has arrived.

  5. nounsingular

    The present moment.

    Grammar: Used with the: the now; also in until now and by now.

    Patterns

    • until now
    • by now
    • for now

    Until now, nobody had noticed the mistake.

    That is enough for now.

    Live in the now rather than worrying about tomorrow.

Common combinations

right now
I cannot talk right now.
from now on
From now on, I will cook on Sundays.
just now
She left just now, so you may catch her.
now and then
We eat out now and then.
for now
Leave the dishes for now.
now that
Now that spring is here, the garden is blooming.

Synonyms and how they differ

currently
Currently is more formal and describes an ongoing state, while now can also mean right away.
at present
At present is formal and suggests a temporary state, whereas now is plainer.
immediately
Immediately stresses acting without any delay, which now only implies.
today
Today can mean the present period in general, like the world today, which is wider than the exact moment of now.

Opposites

thenlaterpreviously

Word family

nowadays adverb
in the present period compared with the past
just now phrase
a moment ago
right now phrase
at this very moment
nowhere adverb
no place; shares the spelling of now but not the meaning

Commonly confused: now or know? now or nowadays?

now vs know

Know is the verb for having knowledge, and it sounds different from now despite using the same letters.

now vs nowadays

Nowadays describes the general present period, but now can mean a single moment.

Practice

___ you have finished your homework, you can play outside.

Make it your own

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