"...should have arrived there by now..."

Question

He should have arrived there by now. He left two hours ago and it's only a 20 minutes walk.He should be there by now. He left two hours ago and it's only a 20 minutes walk.I am just wondering if there is any difference between the two?Thank youPBF

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Pretty well the same.

Cllive

Philip · Answer

They're the same in meaning.
However: a 20-minute [no 's'] walk or a walk of 20 minutes. Most use the former, I believe.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,
Is the following statement about 'by now' true?

"By now" means "by this time”, and is used to make a prediction of an event that should have already passed, but the outcome is not yet known for certain. For example:
Bob left yesterday morning. He should have arrived in London by now."

Does this mean I think that Bob is in London now?

Is 'by now' only used with present perfect tense?

Thank you very much.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousBob left yesterday morning. He should have arrived in London by now."

Does this mean I think that Bob is in London now?

Yes.

AnonymousIs 'by now' only used with present perfect tense?

No. I'm sure you can find many examples with different tenses.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi CalifJim,

Thank you for your answer. Could you please tell me if the statement about the definition of 'by now' is true?
"By now" means "by this time”, and is used to make a prediction of an event that should have already passed, but the outcome is not yet known for certain. Thanks.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Could someone please answer my queston above?
Thank you very much.

Yizhivika · Answer

"By now" means "by this time”, and is used to make a prediction of an event that should have already ~~passed~~ happened, but the outcome is not yet known for certain.

I think 'happen' is a more appropriate verb to use of an 'event' than 'pass', but, otherwise, your definition seems a reasonable one, at least, inasfar as the use of 'by now' is as originally posted in this thread.

"By now', can, of course, also be used in other contexts, where there is no element of prediction.

For example:

"Why did you ring me at work? You should know, by now, that I don't like you doing that!"

Anonymous · Answer

Hi yizhivika,
Thank you for telling me the other usage of 'by now'. Are the sentences below correct?

1.I often go to bed by now.

2.I used to go to bed by now.

3.They have gone to bed by now. (no prediction, I know it for sure)

Thanks.

Yizhivika · Answer

Hi,

No, unfortunately not (and for all three examples)!

1. I often go to bed by now.

You could say "I am often in bed by now", meaning "I am often in bed by this time" (i.e. but tonight I have stayed up late!).

2. I used to go to bed by now.

I'm not entirely sure what you are intending to say here, but you could say something like:

"Once (i.e. previously), I would have been in bed by now."

3. They have gone to bed by now.

Here, you could say "They will/would have gone to bed by now"

Incidentally, there are other uses of 'by now' in English, aside from those already discussed.

For instance, you might encounter something like this:

"After a long walk from home, we arrive at the station at three o'clock. By now, it is raining heavily, so we hurry to the shelter of the Waiting Room."

Knowing how to use 'by now' in English can be tricky at times, but it all comes with practice.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi yizhivika,

Thank you very much for your reply. However, I still can't unsderstand 'by now' well. Can it mean at this time every day?

"After a long walk from home, we arrive at the station at three o'clock. By now, it is raining heavily, so we hurry to the shelter of the Waiting Room."

Does 'by now' mean 'right now' in your example above? Why didn't you use past tense such as arrived at...

What is the difference between the two sentences?
1.They have gone to bed by now.
2.They will/would have gone to bed by now"

Thank you very much.

"...should have arrived there by now..."

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