about now

USAGE SUMMARY

"about now" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a specific time or moment in the present. Some examples of when it can be used include: - "I should be arriving at the airport about now." (speaking about the present moment) - "About now, the sun is setting over the mountains." (referring to a particular time in the present) - "I am feeling quite tired about now." (describing how one is currently feeling).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's all about now".

The New York Times

It's about now.

The New York Times

And what about now.

The New Yorker

He's thinking about now".

The New York Times

It's always about now.

The New York Times

How about now?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

What's being written about now--whew!

The New Yorker

Now I worry about those now, for obvious reasons.

Critical Care

She is about 60 now.

The New York Times

"It is about character now.

Independent

It's about 15 million now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about now" to indicate an action or event occurring around the present time. It's suitable for informal conversations and contexts where precise timing isn't critical.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "about now" can sound too casual for formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language, such as "at this time" or "currently", in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action or state. It pinpoints something happening close to the present moment, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about now" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to refer to the present time or a time very close to it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, but predominantly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid using "about now" in highly formal settings, opting for more precise language. Related phrases like "at this moment" or "right now" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, allowing for more nuanced expression. Remember, while acceptable in many situations, being mindful of the context will help you leverage the phrase most effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the moment

Very similar, but slightly more formal and emphasizes the specific time frame.

right now

Emphasizes the immediacy and urgency more strongly than "about now".

at this moment

Focuses more on the precise instant rather than a general timeframe like "about now".

at present

More formal and less colloquial than "about now".

at this stage

Suggests a point in a process or development, adding a sense of progression not in "about now".

as things stand

Highlights the current state of affairs, implying a potential for change unlike the simple temporal reference of "about now".

in the current climate

Refers to the existing circumstances or conditions, adding a contextual layer not present in "about now".

at this juncture

More formal and indicates a critical point or moment in time, unlike the general present reference of "about now".

in this day and age

Indicates a longer timeframe, referring to the modern era, unlike the present-focused "about now".

in today's world

Emphasizes the modern context, broader than the temporal focus of "about now".

FAQs

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

You can use "about now" to refer to the current time or a time very close to the present. For example, "I think the delivery should be arriving "about now"".

What can I say instead of "about now"?

Alternatives to "about now" include "at this moment", "right now", or "at present", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it always appropriate to use "about now" in professional communications?

While grammatically correct, "about now" is generally more suited for informal settings. In professional contexts, consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "currently" or "at this time".

What's the difference between "about now" and "right now"?

"Right now" emphasizes immediacy and urgency, while "about now" suggests a broader timeframe around the present moment. Use "right now" when the timing is crucial, and "about now" when precision is less important.