right about now

USAGE SUMMARY

"right about now" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it when referring to the present moment: "I'm feeling pretty tired right about now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Right about now?

The New York Times - Magazine

Could use my smokes right about now".

The New Yorker

"Right about now, nothing," Marjorie said.

The New Yorker

"I would do anything right about now.

The New York Times

America could use a truly Whiggish book right about now.

The New York Times - Books

AMERICANS are outraged by campaign calls right about now.

The Economist

And for which I'm very, very grateful right about now.

The New York Times

"Because right about now it is star time".

The New Yorker

But the season for seed shopping is right about now.

The New York Times

Northwestern could use a good drive right about now.

The New York Times

"Right about now, everyone's jonesing for good tomatoes," he said.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "right about now", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and doesn't sound out of place, especially in more formal contexts where a more sophisticated alternative might be preferable.

Common error

While "right about now" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing or academic papers. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound less professional. Opt for more formal alternatives like "currently" or "at present".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right about now" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing of an action or state. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used to emphasize the present moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "right about now" is a grammatically sound and very common adverbial phrase used to emphasize the present moment. Ludwig's analysis confirms its acceptability in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can add immediacy to writing, it's essential to consider the level of formality required and to prevent overuse. Alternatives such as "at this moment" or "currently" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase primarily functions to highlight the current relevance of a statement and is considered to be of a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at this moment

Focuses more on the exact instant, lacking the slight imprecision of "right about now".

as we speak

Highlights the action happening precisely as the statement is made, adding a sense of urgency.

at this very second

Emphasizes the precise timing, making it suitable for scenarios where timing is crucial.

at the present time

More formal and emphasizes the current period rather than a specific instant.

in this instant

Stresses the brevity and immediacy of the current moment.

currently

A single-word substitute that denotes the present situation, but it doesn't have the immediacy of the original phrase.

just now

Indicates an action that has recently occurred but does not directly pinpoint the present.

at this stage

Refers more broadly to the current phase or point in a process, rather than a specific moment.

in the current climate

Used to reference more the present conditions or atmosphere of a situation and might be too formal in some cases.

in today's environment

Implies a broader context of present circumstances, potentially losing the temporal focus.

FAQs

How can I use "right about now" in a sentence?

You can use "right about now" to emphasize the present moment or to indicate something is currently happening. For example: "I could really use a vacation "right about now"".

What are some alternatives to "right about now"?

Alternatives include "at this moment", "currently", or "at the present time", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "right about now" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "right about now" might be too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "at present" or "presently" for a more polished tone.

What is the difference between "right about now" and "just now"?

"Right about now" emphasizes the present, while "just now" refers to something that happened very recently. For example, "I need coffee "right about now"" means I need it immediately. "I saw her "just now"" means I saw her a few moments ago.