done by now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done by now" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should have been completed by the present time. Example: "I asked you to finish your report an hour ago, it should be done by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"They should've been done by now".

The New York Times

If philanthropy worked that way, we'd be done by now.

Harvard Business Review

The Cazareses insist that more should have been done by now.

The New York Times

A Pacific deal the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)��was supposed to be done by now.

The Economist

This is brilliantly done; by now, in fact, everything is brilliantly done.

The New York Times - Books

The van, which we hoped would be done by now, has apparently presented some new difficulties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Surely we all know what to do by now?

The Guardian - Opinion

Each team should know what the other wants to do by now.

The New York Times

Of course, the Hawksmoor team should know what they're doing by now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm no longer a kid so there are things I have to be able to do by now.

Independent

"I know her lines and her scenes about as well as Mom does, by now, so I wouldn't have let her miss it," Will said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "done by now", ensure the context clearly indicates a past expectation that has not been met, creating a sense of delay or unmet deadlines.

Common error

Avoid using "done by now" when referring to future actions; it implies a past expectation. Instead, use "will be done by then" or "will be completed by" to express future completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done by now" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that a task or action was expected to be completed by the present time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "done by now" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something was expected to be completed by the current time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates a past expectation. Avoid using it for future events; instead, opt for phrases like "will be done by then". While predominantly neutral, "done by now" can convey subtle frustration or surprise. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "done by now" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be completed by now

Replaces "done" with "completed" and maintains a similar level of formality.

should have been finished already

Emphasizes that the task should have been completed some time ago.

ought to be ready now

Uses "ought to be" to express expectation and readiness.

was expected to be finalized by now

Formal alternative emphasizing the expectation of finalization.

was scheduled for completion by now

Highlights a predetermined schedule for completion.

should be ready at this point

Focuses on the point in time when readiness is expected.

should have been wrapped up by now

Uses the idiom "wrapped up" to imply completion.

should be over with by now

Indicates that something should be entirely finished and past.

must be concluded by this time

More formal phrasing indicating a necessary conclusion.

is due to be done

Focuses on the deadline that should have passed.

FAQs

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

You can use "done by now" to express that something should have been completed at the present time. For instance, "The project should be "completed by now", according to the initial timeline."

What's a less direct way to say "done by now"?

Instead of directly stating something should be "done by now", you could say it "should be "finished already"" or "ought to be "ready now"", depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "done by now"?

"Done by now" isn't appropriate when discussing future events or deadlines. It's best suited for situations where you're reflecting on a missed expectation, such as, "I thought the renovations would be "completed by this time"."

What's the difference between "done by now" and "done by then"?

"Done by now" refers to the present, indicating something should be finished at this moment. "Done by then" refers to a future point, indicating something will be completed at a later specified time. For example, "It should be done by now, but it will certainly be "done by then"."