nowadays

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nowadays" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to the present time or the current situation. For example, "Nowadays, people rely more and more on technology for their daily tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nowadays I have to watch Have I Got News for You through my fingers," she said.

The Guardian

"When I came to this country, I realised what did not exist, and had existed then: music in the air, and a level of culture among the people you wouldn't get nowadays.

The Guardian - Music

The kind of knock that would mean very little nowadays, aged just 25, he never played professionally again, and though Newcastle got their money back on the insurance, the team was never the same.

The Guardian - Sport

But nowadays it seems fair enough - I had just been telling her that two of my friends from school were both starting families, and so it followed naturally in the conversation that she asked if I was planning to have any.

The Guardian - Film

Not many books nowadays are 984 pages long, or set in the 1800's.

The Guardian

This is mainly a public sector issue nowadays and public sector employees can be foolishly out of touch with private sector realities, as their 2011 strike against pension reforms confirmed.

The Guardian

But the couple separated in 2008 and nowadays he seems to prefer his own company.

The Guardian - Film

Nowadays the average viewer has hundreds of channels to choose from … flat screen tellies are the norm … and you can access television through tablets, smartphones, consoles … basically any device that is connected to the internet.

The Guardian

The real winner on O'Donnell's report card approach, though, is Nicola Sturgeon, who exudes competence, scores strongly on shared values (as long as you are a Scot), and who, having shaken off the earlier pejorative "nippy sweetie" tag of which David Torrance writes in his new biography, is nowadays is making a serious effort to come over as likeable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does he enjoy a better standard of conversation nowadays?

The Guardian - Sport

"We don't really talk too much nowadays because of the rivalry, but that's not really a problem because it brings out the best in us.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nowadays" to contrast the present with the past, highlighting changes or developments over time. For instance, "Nowadays, remote work is more common than ever before."

Common error

Do not use "nowadays" in contexts where the present time is already implied. For example, avoid saying "Nowadays, currently..." as it's repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nowadays" is as an adverb of time. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating when the action or state occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it refers to the present time, often in contrast with the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nowadays" functions as an adverb of time, commonly used to draw contrasts between the present and the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It appears very frequently in news and media sources, as well as formal business and scientific contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other words that already imply the present. Consider alternatives like "at the present time" or "currently" to add nuance to your writing, and avoid misusing the term in contexts that don't require a past-present comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the present time

More formal and emphasizes the specific point in time.

in the current era

Highlights a broader period or epoch, rather than a specific moment.

in this day and age

A more conversational and slightly emphatic way of referring to the present.

these days

A common and informal way to refer to the present period.

currently

More direct and neutral, simply indicating the present state.

at this time

Focuses on the immediate present, often in a more formal context.

in modern times

Highlights the contrast with past eras, emphasizing progress or change.

in today's society

Emphasizes the present societal context.

in the present climate

Focuses on the prevailing conditions or atmosphere.

in current times

Similar to "nowadays", but can feel slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "nowadays" in a sentence?

"Nowadays" is used to indicate something that is happening or is true in the present time, especially when contrasting it with the past. For example: "Nowadays, people communicate more through social media."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "nowadays"?

Alternatives to "nowadays" include "at the present time", "in this day and age", or "currently", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "nowadays currently"?

Yes, using "nowadays" and "currently" together is redundant. Both words indicate the present time, so using them together is unnecessary repetition.

What is the difference between "nowadays" and "today"?

"Today" refers specifically to the current day, while "nowadays" refers to a more general period around the present time. For example: "Today is sunny", but "These days / Nowadays, many people work from home".