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Candy Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Before now / by now
I'm confused....how to use these phrases properly in sentences.
I think "before now" is used with present(present perfect) and past (past perfect) tense.
Is this correct?
What about "by now" ??
I often come across "by now" with auxiliary verbs.
"He should be in his office by now."
Is "by now" commonly used in present and past tense? (present & past perfect?)
Could you please explain the difference between the two for me?
I'm VERY confused.
Many, many thanks for your help in advance.
Candy
I think "before now" is used with present(present perfect) and past (past perfect) tense.
Is this correct?
What about "by now" ??
I often come across "by now" with auxiliary verbs.
"He should be in his office by now."
Is "by now" commonly used in present and past tense? (present & past perfect?)
Could you please explain the difference between the two for me?
I'm VERY confused.
Many, many thanks for your help in advance.
Candy
Top answer
") -- stylized because most stories are told in past tense. Here are a string of examples. "
- ") -- stylized because most stories are told in past tense.
- Here are a string of examples.
- "
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1 Answers
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Since "before now" and "by now" mean exactly what they say, logically, "before now" can never be used with the present tense, since it always describes past actions, but "by now" can, though usually in highly stylized prose ("By now, I am thoroughly confused.") -- stylized because most stories are told in past tense.
Here are a string of examples.
Past perfect: "Before now, I ha
Here are a string of examples.
Past perfect: "Before now, I ha
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