good for now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good for now" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to acknowledge that a current situation is sufficient and may not need to change. For example, you might say "This solution is good for now, but we may need to find a better one in the future.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It's good for now," he said.

The New York Times

It feels very good for now".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That's good for now, but bad for later.

The New York Times

Though uncertainty lingers, things look good for now.

The New York Times

Mr. Otter faces re-election this year, and his chances seem relatively good for now.

The New York Times

Of course, lounging around in quiet stores is all well and good for now (provided the stores can stay in business).

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Just put enough on that the freckles are lightened to a good extent, just for now.

WikiHow

"He will be good.' For now, Mr. Santiago has not said what his plans are for the state force.

The New York Times

Living together is good enough for now.

The New York Times - Style

It was a good accomplishment, for now".

The New York Times - Sports

This might be good precaution for now.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good for now" to indicate a temporary solution or state, acknowledging that it might not be ideal or permanent. For instance, "This bandage is good for now, but you'll need stitches later."

Common error

Avoid using "good for now" when you intend to convey a lasting or permanent state. The phrase inherently suggests temporality. If something is intended to be permanent, use words like "sufficient", "adequate", or "ideal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good for now" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied or stated subject. As Ludwig's examples show, it expresses a temporary state of satisfaction or adequacy, indicating that the current situation is acceptable but not necessarily permanent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good for now" is a versatile expression used to indicate temporary acceptance or sufficiency. As Ludwig's examples and grammar analysis show, it functions as an adjectival phrase expressing a situation or solution is acceptable but not necessarily permanent. It's commonly found in news media and informal contexts, serving to manage expectations by acknowledging the provisional nature of something. While grammatically correct and common, it's crucial to use "good for now" only when temporality is intended, avoiding its use for lasting states. As Ludwig AI confirms, its flexibility allows for various applications, from describing temporary fixes to acknowledging current progress, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient for the moment

Indicates that something meets the current needs or requirements, but may not be a long-term solution.

adequate for the time being

Suggests that something is acceptable or satisfactory for now, but might need to be improved later.

satisfactory for now

Emphasizes that something is currently pleasing or fulfilling, without implying permanence.

acceptable for the present

Highlights that something meets the minimum requirements for the current situation.

works for the moment

Focuses on the functionality of something in the immediate timeframe.

that will do for now

Indicates a sense of acceptance or resignation that something is adequate for the current situation.

good enough for the time being

Implies a temporary solution that may be less than ideal, but serves the purpose for now.

that's alright for now

Suggests a sense of agreement or acknowledgment that something is acceptable in the short term.

serviceable for the moment

Implies that something is functional and can be used for the current period, even if it's not perfect.

opportune for the present

Highlights the usefulness and convenience of something in the current timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "good for now" in a sentence?

You can use "good for now" to express that something is adequate or acceptable for the present time, but may need to be improved or changed later. For example, "This temporary fix is "good for now", but we need a permanent solution soon."

What's a more formal alternative to "good for now"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "sufficient for the present", "adequate for the time being", or "acceptable in the interim" instead of "good for now".

Is "good for now" the same as "good enough"?

While both phrases indicate a level of acceptance, ""good for now"" specifically implies temporality, whereas "good enough" simply means it meets the minimum requirements, without necessarily suggesting change in the future.

What does it mean when someone says something is "good for now"?

It means that whatever they're referring to is satisfactory or suitable for the current situation or time, but there may be an expectation or understanding that it will need to be improved, replaced, or changed at some point in the future. It's a way of acknowledging the temporary nature of the solution or situation.