before now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that an event or situation happened before the present. Example sentence: I had never eaten sushi before now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They should have solved it before now".

The New York Times

It was us before, now it's them".

The New York Times

Why hasn't New York City acted before now?

The New York Times

You probably did so before now.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We hadn't seen the shifting before now".

The New York Times

But he has never, before now, seethed.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm embarrassed that I've never been properly there before now.

Independent

If he did, he would have done something before now.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is extraordinary that it hasn't happened before now.

Independent

Before now, she seemed like a force of nature.

The New York Times - Sports

That's the only time I've known, before now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before now" to emphasize a change or realization that has occurred up to the present moment. It works well to highlight a contrast between past and present situations.

Common error

While acceptable, "before now" can sound slightly informal in very formal writing. Consider using synonyms like "previously" or "heretofore" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a time frame prior to the present. It specifies when something occurred or was true, often contrasting it with the current situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before now" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a point in time preceding the present. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. It is frequently employed to highlight contrasts between past and present situations, changes in understanding, or newly acquired knowledge. While generally neutral in register, it's more common in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When aiming for a more formal tone, alternatives like "previously" or "heretofore" might be considered. The phrase is generally considered grammatically correct and finds frequent application in various forms of written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until now

Focuses on the duration leading up to the present moment.

previously

Single word alternative that describes something happened at an earlier time or formerly.

up to this point

Emphasizes the progression of time to the current moment.

prior to this

Highlights the sequence of events with the present as a reference.

in the past

A general way to refer to a time before the present.

earlier

A simple way to indicate a time before the present moment.

formerly

Indicates a state or condition that existed in the past but no longer does.

heretofore

A more formal and less common synonym for "before now".

in earlier times

A slightly more descriptive way to refer to the past.

in days gone by

An idiomatic way to refer to the past, often with a nostalgic tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "before now" to indicate that something is different now than it was previously. For example, "I had never traveled internationally before now".

What's the difference between "before now" and "until now"?

"Before now" emphasizes a point in the past, while "until now" focuses on the entire period leading up to the present.

Which is a more formal alternative to "before now"?

A more formal alternative to "before now" is "heretofore", although it is less commonly used in modern English.

Can I use "before now" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "before now" can sound awkward. It's usually better placed in the middle or end of the sentence for better flow.