some time now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some time now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been happening for a duration of time leading up to the present moment. Example: "I have been waiting for some time now for a response to my application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Been going on for some time now.

The New York Times - Sports

I've had it for some time now".

The New Yorker

"Since when?" "For some time now.

The New Yorker

Pedro has been doing this for some time now.

The New York Times - Sports

For some time now, Republicans have been seeking an alternative.

The Economist

You've been working on a novel for some time now.

The New Yorker

For some time now, she'd done things Lance's way.

The New Yorker

The rumours have been circulating for some time now.

Independent

But it has been building momentum for some time now.

The New York Times - Books

Music videos have sexualised women for some time now.

The Guardian

They have been on the rise for some time now.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some time now" to indicate that a situation or action has been ongoing for a noticeable duration leading up to the present, suggesting a degree of established continuation.

Common error

Avoid using "some time now" excessively in highly formal or academic writing; consider more precise alternatives like "for a significant period" or "since [date]" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some time now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. It specifies that something has been occurring for a period leading up to the present moment. Ludwig provides many examples across different categories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some time now" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action or state has been ongoing for a noticeable period up to the present. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While suitable for many contexts, be mindful of formality and consider more precise alternatives in highly academic or scientific writing. Understanding its function and purpose allows for effective communication of duration and established continuation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a while now

Uses a less specific term for duration, implying a period of unspecified length.

for quite a while now

Emphasizes the length of the duration, making it seem longer.

for a considerable time now

Highlights the significance of the duration, suggesting it's noteworthy.

for a long time now

Indicates an extended period, focusing on the duration's length.

for some period now

Replaces "time" with the more formal "period".

in recent times

Focuses on the recency of the period, emphasizing its proximity to the present.

up until now

Highlights the continuous nature of the action or state until the present moment.

as of late

Indicates that something has been happening recently, but less common.

in recent memory

Implies the duration is within a person's recollection.

lately

Simply indicates that something has been happening recently.

FAQs

How can I use "some time now" in a sentence?

You can use "some time now" to indicate that something has been happening for a notable period leading up to the present. For example, "I've been working on this project for "some time now"".

What are some alternatives to "some time now"?

Alternatives include "for a while now", "for a long time", or "lately", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "some time now" formal or informal?

"Some time now" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and many formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "for a considerable period".

What's the difference between "some time now" and "some time ago"?

"Some time now" indicates a duration leading up to the present, while "some time ago" refers to a point in the past that is not necessarily connected to the present.