is not now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not happening at the present moment. Example: "The meeting is not now; it has been rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The future is not now".

The New York Times - Sports

Shaw is not now involved.

The Economist

But their time is not now.

The New York Times - Sports

"That time," she said, "is not now".

The New York Times

The director's (correct) instinct is, "Not now".

The Guardian

"That time, however, is not now.

The Guardian

The answer apparently is "Not now".

The New York Times

She is not now a member.

The New York Times

The "crisis," therefore, is not "now".

The New Yorker

Your birthday is always the one that is not now".

The New York Times - Science

Beijing, unfortunately, is not now able to do so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not now" to clearly and directly state that something is not happening at the present time. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is not now" when you actually mean something will never happen. "Is not now" implies a present state, not a permanent one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not now" primarily functions as a statement of negation regarding the current state of affairs. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears to indicate that a certain condition or event is not presently occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not now" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is not happening or valid at the present time. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While it's considered neutral in tone, more formal alternatives exist for specific writing needs. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and provides numerous examples across diverse sources, ensuring a solid understanding of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not currently

Focuses on the present time frame, emphasizing the lack of current activity.

does not presently

Uses more formal language to indicate the absence of something at this time.

is not happening now

Directly states that an event or action is not taking place at the moment.

is not yet

Indicates that something is expected to happen in the future but has not happened up to now.

is not in effect

Specifically used when referring to rules, laws, or agreements.

is not in progress

Suggests an activity has either not started yet or has been stopped.

is not in motion

Implies that a process or plan is not actively moving forward.

is not taking place

Emphasizes that an event or activity is not occurring.

is not active

Implies a state of dormancy or inactivity.

is not existing at the moment

A more descriptive way of saying something is not currently present or available.

FAQs

What does "is not now" mean?

The phrase "is not now" means that something is not currently happening or true at the present time. It suggests a temporary state, implying that the situation may change in the future.

How can I use "is not now" in a sentence?

You can use "is not now" to indicate that something is not currently the case, such as "The time to give it back "is not now"." This implies that while it's not the right time currently, it might be in the future.

What are some alternatives to saying "is not now"?

Alternatives to "is not now" include "is not currently", "is not presently", or "is not yet". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "is not now" formal or informal?

"Is not now" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "does not presently" might be preferred in highly formal writing.