by now

/baɪ naʊ/

at this point in time

You should have finished your homework by now.

This implies that the homework was expected to be completed at this point.

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

at the time when something happens

at this point in time

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

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

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

indicates a point in time

preposition

now

the present moment

adverb

English Dictionary