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by now

/baɪ naʊ/
phrase★Intermediate— at this point in time
informal

At this point in time; by this time

She should have arrived by now.

This suggests that she was expected to arrive at this time.

By now, you should know the answer.

This implies that the answer was expected to be known by this point.

💡

Often used to express expectations or assumptions about what should have happened by a certain time.

Collocations

by nowat this point in time

Synonyms

at this pointby this timeby this stage

Antonyms

not yetstill

Related Phrases

by the timephrase
at the time when something happens
by this timephrase
at this point in time

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use 'by now' to express expectations or assumptions about what should have happened by a certain time.

📖Word Origin

Combination of the preposition 'by' and the adverb 'now', forming a temporal phrase.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in informal and everyday contexts to refer to expectations or assumptions about the current time.

Word Breakdown

by
indicates a point in time
preposition
+
now
the present moment
adverb
English Dictionary

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