especially now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the significance or urgency of a situation in the present moment. Example: "Given the recent events, we need to focus on our health, especially now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Especially now.

The New York Times - Arts

Q    Especially now.

The Economist

All too true, especially now.

The Economist

"Especially now," Craine added.

The Guardian

"Especially now, being in the finals.

The New York Times - Sports

Useful, you might think, especially now.

The Economist

Especially now, with term limits.

The New York Times

Especially now, especially in Scotland.

The Guardian - Books

Especially now that we've met".

The New Yorker

"Especially now we cannot rotate".

The Guardian - Sport

Especially now that I am a suburbanite.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "especially now" to underscore the urgency or importance of an action, decision, or consideration in the immediate context. For example, "It's crucial to save energy, especially now, with rising electricity costs."

Common error

Avoid using "especially now" when the 'now' is already implied by the surrounding context. Redundancy weakens the emphasis. For instance, instead of saying "We need to act quickly, especially now, in this urgent situation", simply say "We need to act quickly in this urgent situation" or "We need to act quickly, especially now."

Linguistic Context

Especially now functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize the heightened importance or urgency of an action or situation at the present time. Ludwig AI indicates it's used to highlight relevance due to current circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "especially now" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the heightened relevance or urgency of something in the present context. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Appearing predominantly in News & Media, it maintains a generally neutral tone suitable for various communication styles. To enhance clarity and avoid redundancy, writers should be mindful of the surrounding context and consider more formal alternatives like "particularly at present" in specific settings. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly at present

Substitutes "especially" with "particularly" and "now" with "at present", maintaining the temporal emphasis but with slightly more formal wording.

especially in the present day

Replaces "now" with "in the present day", adding a slightly more descriptive element to the timing.

notably in the current climate

Replaces "especially" with "notably" and "now" with "in the current climate", highlighting the significance within the existing circumstances.

particularly under the circumstances

Emphasizes the specific conditions affecting the situation, using "under the circumstances" instead of a direct temporal reference.

significantly in these times

Emphasizes the importance using "significantly" instead of "especially" and frames the time period more broadly with "in these times".

notably given the current situation

Highlights a specific context and underscores the prominence using "given the current situation" instead of simply "now".

crucially at this juncture

Highlights the critical nature of the situation using "crucially" and emphasizes the specific moment with "at this juncture".

importantly in today's context

Focuses on the importance with "importantly" and situates the phrase in a contemporary setting with "in today's context".

vitally at this moment

Highlights the essential nature of the situation using "vitally" and specifies the timing with "at this moment".

fundamentally in this era

Emphasizes the foundational relevance of the phrase, framing it within a broader temporal scope using "in this era".

FAQs

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

Use "especially now" to emphasize the increased importance or relevance of something in the present moment due to current circumstances. For example, "It's important to support local businesses, "especially now", during the pandemic."

What's a more formal alternative to "especially now"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "particularly at present", "notably in the current climate", or "significantly in these times" instead of "especially now".

Is there a subtle difference between "especially now" and "particularly now"?

While "especially now" and "particularly now" are often interchangeable, "especially" can sometimes imply a higher degree of emphasis than "particularly". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it best to avoid using "especially now"?

Avoid using "especially now" in contexts where the current timing is already strongly implied, as it can create redundancy. Also, consider more formal alternatives in highly formal writing.