now however

USAGE SUMMARY

"now however" is a perfectly grammatical phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a statement that contrasts with an idea that was just expressed. For example: We had agreed to order tacos for dinner, now however we decided to get pizza.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Right now, however, nobody knows.

Independent

Now, however, this is changing.

The New York Times - Travel

Now, however, he answers it.

The New Yorker

She knew it now, however.

The New Yorker

Now, however, perspectives are changing.

Independent

Now, however, Netflix looks screwed.

The New Yorker

Now, however, she is news.

The Guardian - Film

Now, however, he is wealthy.

The New York Times

Things are changing now, however.

The Guardian

That doesn't register now, however.

The Guardian - Music

Boredom now, however, seems unimaginable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "now however", ensure that the contrasting statement genuinely offers a new perspective or development. Avoid using it if the subsequent statement is merely a restatement or minor adjustment.

Common error

Avoid pairing "now however" with other redundant conjunctions such as "but" or "and". This can create unnecessary emphasis and weaken the overall flow of the sentence. Choose one transitional phrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "now however" functions primarily as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrast or a shift in the narrative or argument, while also emphasizing the temporal aspect of the change. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatical construct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "now however" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce a contrast, with a strong emphasis on the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s perfectly acceptable in written English. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a change in events or perspectives. While versatile, writers should avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other conjunctions like "but" or "and". For alternative phrasing, consider options like "yet now" or "but now" to maintain clarity and flow. The prevalence of "now however" in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and effectiveness in conveying contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet now

Emphasizes the contrast by explicitly stating 'yet' before introducing the shift.

but now

Offers a direct and simple way to signal a change from a previous situation.

at present though

Focuses on the current situation while acknowledging a previous difference.

currently though

Highlights the present state, contrasting with what might have been expected.

in contrast now

Directly indicates a contrasting element with an emphasis on the temporal aspect.

conversely now

Introduces a statement that reverses a prior one, set against the present moment.

nonetheless now

Acknowledges a prior point but proceeds to introduce a contrasting factor.

notwithstanding that

Acknowledges a prior fact but introduces a new point that overrides it.

even so now

Similar to 'nonetheless', but with added emphasis on the unexpected nature of the contrast.

despite that fact

Highlights the contrast even when something else should suggest a different result.

FAQs

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

"Now however" is used to introduce a contrasting idea or situation, indicating a change from what was previously stated. For example, "We planned to leave early; "now however", the meeting is running late".

What phrases can I use instead of "now however"?

Alternatives to "now however" include phrases like "yet now", "but now", or "at present though", each providing a slightly different nuance to the contrast.

Is "now however" the same as "however now"?

While both phrases contain the same words, "now however" is more common and generally preferred. "However now" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward in certain contexts. Stick to ""now however"" for better clarity and flow.

When is it appropriate to use "now however" instead of just "however"?

"Now however" is most effective when emphasizing a shift that has occurred recently or is particularly relevant to the current moment. It adds a temporal dimension to the contrast that "however" alone may not convey.