0
Mister Pink Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
now vs. by now
Hello,
as you can probably infer from the subject I sometimes don't know how to distinguish between "now" and "by now".
E.g.: Have you finished your meal now / by now?
I rarely have the same problems with "sure" and "for sure":
E.g.: Is this sure / for sure?
Although I'd presumebly chose the right phrase, I don't know why I'd do so...
Are there any general rules concerning these problems?
Thanks in advance!
as you can probably infer from the subject I sometimes don't know how to distinguish between "now" and "by now".
E.g.: Have you finished your meal now / by now?
I rarely have the same problems with "sure" and "for sure":
E.g.: Is this sure / for sure?
Although I'd presumebly chose the right phrase, I don't know why I'd do so...
Are there any general rules concerning these problems?
Thanks in advance!
Top answer
Welcome to the Forums, I think there is a subtle difference between the two sentences. " you expected them to finish it in another time, in a sooner or later time rather than then. ) he has finished his food by then.
- Welcome to the Forums, I think there is a subtle difference between the two sentences.
- " you expected them to finish it in another time, in a sooner or later time rather than then.
- ) he has finished his food by then.
- Hope that it is clear.
- There are other helpful members who will give you more clarification if needed.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
5 Answers
0
Welcome to the Forums,
I think there is a subtle difference between the two sentences. If you ask someone " Have you finished your meal now?" you expected them to finish it in another time, in a sooner or later time rather than then. But if you ask "Have you finished your meal by now ?", you are asking about if considering all the circumstances (if he'd been home in time, if the fo
I think there is a subtle difference between the two sentences. If you ask someone " Have you finished your meal now?" you expected them to finish it in another time, in a sooner or later time rather than then. But if you ask "Have you finished your meal by now ?", you are asking about if considering all the circumstances (if he'd been home in time, if the fo
00
Hello Mister Pink
Just to supplement LL's comments:
Since 'now' means 'at this moment', and 'by now' means 'before this moment', neither is particularly idiomatic with 'have you finished your meal'.
You would be more likely to say e.g.
1. Have you finished your meal yet?
- if you don't know whether he has finished the meal.
2. Have you finished
Just to supplement LL's comments:
Since 'now' means 'at this moment', and 'by now' means 'before this moment', neither is particularly idiomatic with 'have you finished your meal'.
You would be more likely to say e.g.
1. Have you finished your meal yet?
- if you don't know whether he has finished the meal.
2. Have you finished
00
Thanks so far, but what about the sure- for sure- thing?
(It is really great that you get an answer to your problems so fast...)
(It is really great that you get an answer to your problems so fast...)
00
Hello Mister Pink
I think it would vary from idiom to idiom. For instance, if you take these two phrases:
1. This is real.
2. This is for real.
the first is a description of a thing or event, whereas the second implies an interpretation of a thing or event.
But with other examples, the relationship between the two phrases might be different. So I'm not
I think it would vary from idiom to idiom. For instance, if you take these two phrases:
1. This is real.
2. This is for real.
the first is a description of a thing or event, whereas the second implies an interpretation of a thing or event.
But with other examples, the relationship between the two phrases might be different. So I'm not
00
Related Questions