for two days now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for two days now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been happening continuously for a duration of two days up to the present moment. Example: "I have been feeling under the weather for two days now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He's been here for two days now.

The New York Times - Sports

We've been in the US for two days now, but it already feels like a month.

The Guardian - Music

It's been going on for two days now and the queues haven't been getting any smaller".

The Guardian

"We are being tortured by the police and we haven't eaten for two days now," he was quoted as saying.

Independent

For two days now, after the fighters took our neighbourhood, the army forces have not fought back.

The Guardian

For two days now at Beaver Creek, Janka has been at a loss to explain his recent success.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It's felt like Election Day for five days now, and it looks like it will for at least several more.

The New York Times

He's been gone for five days now.

The New York Times - Sports

For five days now, Nepal has been grieving for a dead king.

The New York Times

We haven't had any electricity for five days now, and no water.

The Guardian

"She drinks liquids but has refused to have food for seven days now".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for two days now" to clearly indicate that a situation has been ongoing for exactly two days and is still current. For example, "The internet has been down for two days now, making it difficult to work."

Common error

Avoid using past simple tense with "for two days now". The phrase implies a continuing action, so use present perfect continuous (e.g., "I have been waiting for two days now") rather than past simple (e.g., Incorrect: "I waited for two days now").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for two days now" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying the duration of an event or state leading up to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in indicating ongoing situations as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for two days now" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something has been ongoing continuously for a duration of two days up to the present moment. As noted by Ludwig, it's widely employed in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, to provide a clear timeframe for events. When using the phrase, ensure correct tense usage (present perfect continuous) to reflect the ongoing nature. For alternative expressions, "over the last two days" or "for the past two days" are suitable options, each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For the past two days

Emphasizes the duration leading up to the present, offering a direct synonym.

Over the last two days

Similar to "for the past two days", highlighting the timeframe but with a slightly different prepositional focus.

In the last 48 hours

More specific, uses a numerical measure of time, making it slightly more formal.

Since two days ago

Focuses on the starting point of the duration rather than the duration itself.

These past couple of days

Informal and conversational, using "couple" to indicate two days.

During the previous two days

Places the action or state within a specific period, rather than continuing to the present.

Throughout the last two days

Implies continuous action or a state that persisted throughout the two-day period.

The two latest days

A less common phrasing, emphasizing the recency of the days.

For a period of two days

More formal and emphasizes the span of time.

Lately, for two days

Emphasizes the recent nature of the activity, separating it slightly from the duration.

FAQs

How do I use "for two days now" in a sentence?

Use "for two days now" to indicate an action or state that began two days ago and is still continuing. For example, "The negotiations have been ongoing "for two days now"".

What's the difference between "for the past two days" and "for two days now"?

"For the past two days" and ""for two days now"" are quite similar, but the latter emphasizes the ongoing nature of the situation up to the present moment. The first one expresses that the duration has taken place without necessarily stating it is ongoing in the present.

What can I say instead of "for two days now"?

Alternatives include "over the last two days", "in the last 48 hours", or "for the past two days", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "since two days ago" instead of "for two days now"?

While "since two days ago" is grammatically correct, it focuses on the starting point rather than the duration. Use ""for two days now"" when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the action or state over the two-day period.