then now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then now" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where one is contrasting a past situation with the present, but it is generally not recommended. Example: "I thought I was happy then now I realize I was just pretending."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Now then, now then, now then.

The New Yorker

So then now.

The New Yorker

Then, now, forever Your Guy.

The New York Times

All that was missing then, now is".

The New York Times

Then, "Now I am making a decision.

The New Yorker

His parents grew rice then; now they grow apples.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Now" is really "now-then", and "then" is really "then-now".

SEP

That was then... Now..

Huffington Post

Then & Now: Toronto Nightlife History.

Vice

And check out Claudia then & now.

Huffington Post

The Monkees included their version of the song on their 1986 greatest hits compilation Then & Now.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting past and present scenarios, use clearer and more common phrases like "back then and now" or "previously, but now" for better readability.

Common error

Don't use "then now" in formal writing. It's often unclear. Opt for explicit phrasing to prevent confusion and enhance clarity for your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then now" serves as an adverbial phrase aiming to contrast a past state with a current one. However, its usage is non-standard and often considered grammatically questionable, as noted by Ludwig. It aims to provide a temporal comparison.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "then now" is an attempt to juxtapose past and present, but it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples reveals it appears infrequently, primarily in informal contexts like news articles and blogs. While some sources use it, it's advisable to opt for clearer alternatives such as "back then and now" or "previously, but now" to prevent ambiguity. As Ludwig indicates, explicit phrasing ensures better communication and avoids potential misunderstandings. This will lead to greater confidence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past, and now

A straightforward phrasing that clearly separates the past and present.

back then and today

This option uses common, contrasting time references for past and present.

used to be, but now is

Focuses on the transition from a past condition to a present state.

at that time and currently

This alternative explicitly states both a past time and the present, providing clarity.

previously, but now

Highlights the change from a prior state to the current one.

in those days and now

Emphasizes the difference between a specific past period and the current time.

formerly and presently

Using formal synonyms to indicate past and present states.

earlier and currently

Using a more formal word choice for the present situation.

before and after

This option uses very general temporal terms to refer to a before-and-after situation.

at that point in time, and presently

This alternative provides a more elaborate and formal way to denote the contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "then now" in a sentence correctly?

While "then now" is uncommon, it's better to use more standard phrases like "back then and now" or "at that time and currently" to clearly contrast past and present situations.

What phrases are similar to "then now"?

Alternatives to "then now" include "formerly and presently", "in the past and now", and "previously but now".

Is it grammatically correct to say "then now"?

The phrase "then now" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Clearer alternatives should be preferred to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "then now" and "back then and now"?

"Back then and now" is a more explicit and grammatically accepted way to contrast a past situation with the present. "Then now" is often ambiguous and less clear.