not just now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not just now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not happening at the current moment but may happen later. Example: "I can't help you with that task not just now, but I will be available later this afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not just now.

Forbes

Not just now anyway.

The Guardian

Not just now, eh?

The Guardian - Sport

Not just now but permanently".

The Guardian - Opinion

Not just now, but permanently," he said.

The Guardian

Good personners require it, not just now, but perpersonently.

Princeton University

Not just now, but permanently," the Prime Minister said.

Independent

It's not just now; it's been like that forever.

The New York Times

And it's not just now and then, or long ago.

The Guardian - Business

We want consumers to reform their big-spending ways, but not just now.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We shouldn't just now be discovering our outrage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not just now" to politely defer a request or action, implying it may be possible later. For example: "I can't review that document "not just now", but I'll have time this afternoon."

Common error

Avoid using "not just now" when you mean a permanent refusal. The phrase implies a temporary deferral, so use stronger language like "never" or "not at all" if the action is truly impossible.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not just now" is as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate timing. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase serves to specify when an action or event is not taking place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not just now" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is not happening currently but may occur later. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, predominantly in News & Media and Academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid using it for permanent denials, as it implies a temporary deferral. Alternatives such as "not at the moment" or "not right now" can be used for similar meanings. The phrase is prevalent across authoritative sources, signifying its acceptance and utility in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not for now

A simple and direct alternative that conveys the same meaning with fewer words.

not at this moment

Replaces "just now" with "at this moment", offering a slightly more formal tone.

not right now

Uses "right now" instead of "just now", providing a more direct and informal alternative.

not currently

Substitutes "just now" with "currently", indicating a temporary state.

not in this instance

Replaces "just now" with "in this instance", emphasizing a specific situation.

not for the time being

Indicates a temporary suspension, differing slightly from the immediacy of "not just now".

not at present

A more formal substitute for "not just now", implying a temporary condition.

not in the immediate future

Expands the timeframe, suggesting the action won't occur very soon.

not in the short term

Similar to "not in the immediate future", focusing on a limited timeframe.

not under current circumstances

Emphasizes that existing conditions prevent the action, adding a conditional aspect.

FAQs

What does "not just now" mean?

The phrase "not just now" indicates that something is not happening at the present moment, but it might occur at a later time. It's a polite way of postponing an action or decision.

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

You can use "not just now" to politely decline a request or indicate a delay. For example: "I can't discuss that "not just now", but I'll be free after the meeting."

What can I say instead of "not just now"?

You can use alternatives like "not at the moment", "not right now", or "not currently" to express a similar meaning.

Is "not just now" formal or informal?

"Not just now" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though "not at present" is a more formal alternative.