For now

USAGE SUMMARY

"For now" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that something is true in the present, but may change in the future. For example, "I'm going to stick with this job for now, but I'm keeping my options open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For now.

The New York Times - Sports

For now, it's yours.

The New York Times - Travel

For now, quiet down.

The New Yorker

For now, they say.

The New York Times

For now, nobody knows.

The Economist

For now, at least.

Forbes

For now, it works.

The New York Times

For now, Albany beckons.

The New York Times

"For now, I'm staying".

The Guardian - Sport

For now, goodbye Europe!

The New York Times

For now, it's swollen".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "For now" to indicate a temporary state or decision, implying that things might change in the future. It adds a sense of flexibility and acknowledges potential future developments.

Common error

Avoid using "For now" excessively without providing any context about potential future changes. This can make your writing sound indecisive or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "For now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a temporary state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase. As demonstrated in the examples, it provides a temporal context, suggesting the present situation might change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "For now" indicates a temporary condition or situation that is subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. With a neutral register, it is suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure to provide context regarding potential future changes to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "at present" and "for the time being". The examples demonstrate its practical application in expressing provisional states. "For now" effectively communicates temporality while acknowledging future uncertainties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For the time being

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the situation, similar to "for now".

For the moment

Similar to "for now", but can also carry a sense of immediacy.

At present

Focuses on the current state without necessarily implying a future change.

Currently

Highlights the ongoing nature of a situation or action.

Temporarily

Directly indicates the non-permanent nature of something.

In the meantime

Suggests a temporary situation while waiting for something else to happen.

As it stands

Highlights the current condition or arrangement.

Until further notice

Indicates that the current state will continue until an official change is announced.

Up to this point

Focuses on the duration until the present moment.

Provisionally

Suggests a temporary arrangement subject to future confirmation or modification.

FAQs

How can I use "For now" in a sentence?

You can use "For now" to indicate that a situation, decision, or plan is temporary and may change in the future. For example, "I'm working from home "for now", but I plan to return to the office next month."

What are some alternatives to "For now"?

Some alternatives to "For now" include "at present", "currently", "for the time being", or "in the meantime". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "For now"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "For now". It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the rest of the sentence.

What's the difference between "For now" and "In the future"?

"For now" indicates the present situation, implying it's temporary, while "In the future" refers to a time that is yet to come. They have opposite temporal orientations.