but even now

USAGE SUMMARY

"but even now" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when contrasting something that is currently happening with something that was expected or assumed to happen earlier. Example: "I thought I would have moved on by now, but even now, I still miss him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, even now, the mindset is different.

The Guardian

But even now they hurt.

The New York Times

But even now, the threats continue.

The New York Times

"But even now, they always give me carte blanche.

The Guardian - Film

But even now, BAA has not given up the fight.

Independent

But even now, we are still working on both.

The New York Times - Health

But even now, their prospects are not bright.

The Economist

But even now, exposure to the West remains limited.

The New York Times - Arts

But even now, she remains stuck between two cultures.

The New York Times

But even now, I don't believe she merits empathy.

The New York Times

But, even now, he thinks about Rikers every day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but even now" to introduce a contrasting fact or situation that exists despite previous expectations or conditions. It's effective for adding nuance to an argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid starting sentences with "but even now" excessively. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less sophisticated. Try varying your sentence structure with other contrastive phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but even now" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while emphasizing the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. It typically introduces a statement that is unexpected or surprising given the preceding information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but even now" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as a conjunctive adverbial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, appropriate for various writing styles. While it commonly appears in news and media, it's also found in academic and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity and avoid monotony, consider alternatives like ""yet still"" or ""nevertheless, even now"". Just remember that overuse as a sentence starter can weaken your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless, even now

Similar in meaning, with a slightly stronger sense of concession.

yet still

Emphasizes persistence despite expectations, slightly more concise.

nonetheless, even today

Substitutes "now" with "today" emphasizing the current time.

yet, at this moment

Simple, direct replacement with focus on the present.

however, even at this point

More formal and emphasizes the temporal aspect more strongly.

even so, currently

Replaces "but" with "even so" maintaining a degree of formality.

despite all that, still

Highlights the contrast with prior circumstances.

in spite of everything, still

Highlights overcoming obstacles to reach the current state.

though that's the case, presently

More conversational, indicating acceptance of a situation but also continued action.

even at this late stage

Highlights the delay or prolonged duration of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "but even now" in a sentence?

Use "but even now" to introduce a situation that persists despite prior expectations or actions. For instance, "The project faced numerous delays, but even now, it is not yet complete."

What phrases are similar to "but even now"?

Alternatives include "yet still", "nevertheless, even now", or "in spite of everything, still". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to start a sentence with "but even now"?

Yes, it's grammatically acceptable. However, using it too frequently at the beginning of sentences can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using alternative sentence structures to enhance readability.

What's the difference between "but even now" and "but even then"?

"But even now" refers to the present, indicating something is still happening. "But even then" refers to a past situation, indicating something persisted at that specific time. For example, "He was struggling, but even now, he perseveres" (present) versus "He was struggling, but even then, he persevered" (past).