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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Two definitions of the word now

The meaning of 'now'

1) at the present time

2) at the moment

What is the difference between the definitions? In my non native English speaker sense and my language system, the both meanings are the same, so I am confused. How do you native English speakers distinguish between them?

Cf. http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/now

Thank you and have a good day.
  

Top answer

1) at the present time = these days, generally 2) at the moment = right now; at this precise time that we are talking.

— Mister Micawber

  • 1) at the present time = these days, generally 2) at the moment = right now; at this precise time that we are talking.
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9 Answers
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1) at the present time = these days, generally
2) at the moment = right now; at this precise time that we are talking.
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Thank you so much as usual and then can we say,

now = right now = at the moment?

Or now and right now are a little bit different? And I have known that at the very moment is a more emphatic expression that at the moment so far, but someone says they are totally different from each other, so I am confused now. What do you think? Or
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Anonymousthen can we say,now = right now = at the moment?
Yes.
AnonymousOr now and right now are a little bit different?
No, not when they are intended to mean the same.
Anonymoussomeone says they are totally different from each other
Let me confuse you some more: that person is wrong.
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Anonymous And I have known that at the very moment is a more emphatic expression that at the moment so far, but someone says they are totally different from each other, so I am confused now. What do you think? Or how about this?Now = at the momentRight now = at the very moment
I think they are different.

I am writing a response to you now, right no
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What an English!! Emotion: crying So 'at the moment' means the same as 'at this moment', but 'at the very moment' does not me
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AnonymousPlease, could you answer my question?
Uh, which question is that? It seems that you have already received every sort of answer to this conundrum!
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Anonymous So 'at the moment' means the same as 'at this moment',
Not always.

You need to realise that one phrase rarely means exactly the same as a different phrase.
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You need to realise that one phrase rarely means exactly the same as a different phrase—or in all contexts.
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I got the perfect answer to all questions, so "Not always" implies sometimes they are interchangeable for the same meaning, but sometimes not, right? Thank you so much and now I need to take a break although you people did all great jobs
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