by now

USAGE SUMMARY

"by now" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has happened before the current moment in time. For example, "We have finished the project by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By now it's May.

The New York Times

By now it does.

The New York Times

By now it is commonplace.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe, by now, Jeter has.

The New York Times - Sports

By now, CBS was out.

The New York Times - Sports

Probably Eye-rack by now.

The New Yorker

"It should exist by now".

The New York Times

"I've learned it by now".

The New York Times

By now, things had changed.

The New York Times

Everyone knows that by now.

The New York Times

By now, I suspected something.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by now" to emphasize that something should be expected or understood given the time that has passed. For example: "By now, you should be familiar with the company's policies."

Common error

While "by now" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider using phrases like "at this juncture" or "subsequently" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a time frame reaching the present. Ludwig shows this usage across numerous examples, emphasizing its role in setting a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by now" functions as a common adverbial phrase to indicate that something is expected or understood at the present time, supported by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently found in News & Media, carrying a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. While its usage is widespread, it's wise to consider context-appropriate alternatives for more formal settings. Remember to use it to set temporal expectations, but avoid overuse in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

By this time

Indicates a specific moment that has been reached.

Up to this point

Emphasizes the culmination of events leading to the present.

To date

Similar to 'until now' but often used in more formal contexts.

Thus far

Focuses on progress made up to the current time.

As of late

Indicates a recent change or development.

At this stage

Emphasizes the current phase or condition of something.

Until the present day

Highlights the duration leading to the current moment.

As things stand

Describes the current situation or state of affairs.

To this day

Highlights the continuation of something up to the present.

In the interim

Refers to the period between two events, reaching the current one.

FAQs

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

You can use "by now" to indicate that something should be the case at the present time. For example, "By now the report should be finished".

What are some alternatives to "by now"?

Alternatives to "by now" include "by this time", "up to this point", or "as of late", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "by now"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "by now". It is commonly used to set a temporal context for the statement that follows. For example, "By now it was getting dark".

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

"By now" indicates that a certain point has been reached, whereas "until now" emphasizes the duration leading up to the present. "By now they should have arrived" suggests they were expected to be here at this time. "Until now we had no problems" indicates a problem-free period leading up to the present.