but right now

USAGE SUMMARY

"but right now" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a contrasting idea that suggests the subject might change in the future. For example: I usually like to stay active, but right now I'm too tired.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But right now I'm stressed".

The New Yorker

Not someday, but right now".

The New York Times

"But right now I'm scared.

The New York Times - Magazine

But right now it's mine.

The New Yorker

But right now it's not seamless.

The New York Times

"But right now I am not".

The New York Times

But right now, he's getting it".

The New York Times - Sports

But right now, other things matter more.

The New York Times

"But right now, we are in trouble".

The New York Times

"But right now, it's a tossup.

The New York Times

But right now, tensions are high.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but right now" to effectively introduce a temporary deviation from a general truth or expectation. This clearly signals to the reader that the current state is subject to change.

Common error

While "but right now" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider alternatives like "however" or "currently" in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but right now" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while emphasizing the temporal aspect of the present moment. As seen in the examples on Ludwig, it introduces a state that is currently true but potentially different from a past or future state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Sports

17%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"But right now" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a contrast, focusing on the present moment. According to Ludwig, it effectively signals a temporary deviation from a general expectation. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "however" or "currently" in professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Sports contexts, making it a useful tool for both informal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but for now

Shortens "right now" to "for now", making it slightly less emphatic but retaining the same meaning.

but currently

Replaces "right now" with "currently", offering a direct synonym for the present time.

but as of now

Uses "as of now" to specifically indicate the present time as a point of reference.

but presently

"Presently" is a direct synonym for "right now", though slightly less common in everyday speech.

however at present

Replaces "but right now" with a more formal tone. 'However' serves as the conjunction, and 'at present' indicates the current time.

nonetheless at the moment

Similar to "however at present", "nonetheless" is more formal and "at the moment" specifies the present time.

yet for the time being

Uses "yet" to introduce a contrast, and "for the time being" emphasizes the temporary nature of the current situation.

still as things stand

"Still" implies a continuation of a previous state, contrasted by "as things stand", which points to the current circumstances.

but in the interim

"In the interim" suggests a temporary period between two events or states, providing a temporal contrast.

however in the short term

"In the short term" emphasizes a limited duration for the current situation, providing a similar contrast to "right now".

FAQs

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

You can use "but right now" to introduce a contrasting idea that is currently true, but might change in the future. For instance, "I usually enjoy going out, "but right now" I'm feeling tired".

What are some alternatives to "but right now"?

Alternatives include "however at present", "yet for the time being", or "but currently", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "but right now"?

Yes, "but right now" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to indicate a contrast with the present situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "but right now" and "but later"?

"But right now" emphasizes the current situation in contrast to a general or expected state, whereas "but later" refers to a future time. For example, "I can't help you "but right now", but I can assist you later" highlights the difference.