now
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
How often you will meet it
Rank 61 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 449,577 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.214% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 100 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
adverb
- in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events President Kennedy now calls in the National GuardWashington now decides to cross the Delaware
- in these times also: nowadays, today it is solely by their language that the upper classes nowadays are distinguishedwe now rarely see horse-drawn vehicles on city streets
- used to preface a command or reproof or request now hear this!now pay attention
- at the present moment also: at present goods now on salethe now-aging dictator
- without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening also: immediately, instantly, straightaway, straight off, directly, right away he answered immediatelyfound an answer straightaway
- (prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity Now the next problem is...
noun
- the momentary present Now is a good time to do itit worked up to right now
now in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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When I leave town now I never tell my people where I am going.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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I see now that you needed a blow in the face to wake you up--and you got it.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1
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Now, little Jason had answered honestly and literally, and he saw now that he was being trifled with.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1
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O come, come away From labor now reposing, Let busy care a while forbear; O come, come away.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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Black clouds were driven furiously across the sky, torrents of rain and spray beat every now and then upon the window.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1