between now and

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between now and" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a period of time that includes the present moment and extends into the near future. Here are some examples: - "I have a lot of work to do between now and the end of the week." - "The weather forecast predicts rain on and off between now and next Tuesday." - "We need to make a decision between now and the start of the new year." - "I plan to save money between now and my next vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What has happened between "now" and "then"?

Independent

Anything can happen between now and June".

The New York Times

And nothing strenuous between now and then.

The New York Times

Between now and Jan.

The New York Times - Travel

Obviously, not between now and 1 00.

Cornell University

But what happens between now and then?

Cornell University

Between now and November, much could happen.

The New Yorker

My programme between now and then?

The Guardian - Sport

The difference between now and before?

The Washington Post

We'll be adding events regularly between now and June.

Cornell University

"Anything can happen between now and then," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the end date or event when using "between now and" to avoid ambiguity. For example, "between now and the end of the quarter" is clearer than just "between now and then".

Common error

Avoid using "between now and then" without a clear reference for 'then'. Always specify the end point to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between now and" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a span of time from the current moment to a future point. It's used to set a timeframe for actions, events, or conditions, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "between now and" is a very common prepositional phrase used to define a period stretching from the present to a future point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media. To use the phrase effectively, ensure you specify a clear end date to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "from this moment until" or "in the interim period" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Overall, "between now and" is a reliable and versatile phrase for setting timeframes in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between the present and

Rephrases using "the present" for a slightly more formal tone.

from this moment until

Emphasizes the starting point as the current moment.

from the present time to

A more formal way of indicating the start of the period.

in the interim period

Highlights the time period as an intervening phase.

leading up to

Suggests a build-up or preparation for a future event.

in the period from now to

A verbose but clear way of stating the timeframe.

in the coming days/weeks

Focuses on the near future, implying a shorter timeframe.

over the next...

A general way to refer to a coming period of time (days/weeks/months).

from this day forward until

Emphasizes a commitment to the entire duration.

until such time as

A formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "between now and" in a sentence?

Use "between now and" to define a period from the present moment to a specified time in the future. For example, "We need to finalize the budget between now and the end of the fiscal year."

What's a more formal alternative to "between now and"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "from the present time to" or "in the interim period" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify an end date when using "between now and"?

While not always mandatory, specifying an end date provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. If the end point is implied or understood, it may be omitted, but be sure that is clear to the audience.

What phrases are similar to "between now and" that imply a shorter timeframe?

If you want to imply a shorter period, consider alternatives like "in the coming days" or "over the next few weeks".