A1 adverb Neutral #73 most common

now

/naʊ/

Used to describe the present moment or the current time period. It is often used to contrast the present with the past or future.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I am eating my dinner now.

I am eating my dinner now.

2

The director is now prepared to see you.

The director is now prepared to see you.

3

Can you come over now?

Can you come over now?

Word Family

Adverb
now
Adjective
now
Related
present
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Memory Tip

Remember: N-O-W stands for No Other Way to say 'at this moment'.

Quick Quiz

I am busy ___, but I can help you in ten minutes.

Correct!

The correct answer is: now

Examples

1

I am eating my dinner now.

everyday

I am eating my dinner now.

2

The director is now prepared to see you.

formal

The director is now prepared to see you.

3

Can you come over now?

informal

Can you come over now?

4

Scientific evidence now indicates a change in global temperatures.

academic

Scientific evidence now indicates a change in global temperatures.

5

We are now processing your payment request.

business

We are now processing your payment request.

Word Family

Adverb
now
Adjective
now
Related
present

Common Collocations

right now right now
from now on from now on
by now by now
until now until now
just now just now

Common Phrases

now and then

now and then (occasionally)

now or never

now or never

every now and again

every now and again

Often Confused With

now vs know

Know is a verb meaning to have information, while now is an adverb referring to time.

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Usage Notes

Now is most frequently placed at the end of a sentence, but can also be placed at the beginning for emphasis or before the main verb.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'now' when they should use 'actually' to correct someone, or they confuse it with 'currently' in formal writing.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember: N-O-W stands for No Other Way to say 'at this moment'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Old English 'nū', which is related to the German word 'nun'.

Grammar Patterns

Often used with the present continuous tense (am/is/are + verb-ing). Can be used as a conjunction to introduce a new thought or instruction.
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Cultural Context

In 'fast-paced' cultures, 'now' implies an immediate response is expected.

Quick Quiz

I am busy ___, but I can help you in ten minutes.

Correct!

The correct answer is: now

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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