Now vs. Know — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 15, 2024
"Now" refers to the present moment in time, while "know" means to have knowledge or be aware of something.
Difference Between Now and Know
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Now" is an adverb that indicates the present moment or the immediate timeframe. It is used to refer to what is happening at the current time. "Know" is a verb that means to have information, understanding, or awareness about something. It implies being familiar with facts, skills, or people.
"Now" focuses on time and immediacy, emphasizing the present. It is often used to give commands, express urgency, or highlight the current situation. For instance, "Call me now" indicates the need for immediate action. "Know" involves cognitive processes, signifying comprehension or recognition. It is used in various contexts to convey understanding or familiarity. For example, "Do you know her?" asks if someone is acquainted with another person.
In terms of grammar, "now" functions primarily as an adverb, though it can also be used as a noun (e.g., "The time is now"). "Know" is a verb and is often used in different tenses and forms, such as "knowing" or "known".
Both words play essential roles in English, with "now" anchoring statements in the present and "know" conveying information and awareness.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adverb (sometimes noun)
Verb
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Meaning
Refers to the present moment
To have knowledge or be aware
Usage
Indicates current time or urgency
Expresses familiarity or understanding
Example Sentence
"I need the report now."
"I know the answer."
Pronunciation
/naʊ/
/noʊ/
Related Forms
Present moment (noun)
Knowing (gerund), known (past participle)
Compare with Definitions
Now
Immediately or without delay.
We need to leave now.
Know
To be aware or conscious of something.
Do you know about the meeting tomorrow?
Now
At this point in time.
The project is now complete.
Know
To have learned or been informed about something.
She knows how to play the piano.
Now
At the present time
Goods now on sale.
The now aging dictator.
Know
To recognize or identify something.
I know a good restaurant nearby.
Now
At once; immediately
Stop now.
Know
Be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
I know what I'm doing
Most people know that CFCs can damage the ozone layer
Now
In the immediate past; very recently
Left the room just now.
Know
Have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with
He knew and respected Laura
Now
At this point in the series of events; then
The ship was now listing to port.
Know
Have sexual intercourse with (someone).
Now
At times; sometimes
Now hot, now cold.
Know
To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty.
Now
Nowadays.
Know
To regard as true beyond doubt
I know she won't fail.
Now
In these circumstances; as things are
Now we won't be able to stay.
Know
To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in
Knows how to cook.
Now
Used to introduce a command, reproof, or request
Now pay attention.
Know
To have fixed in the mind
Knows her Latin verbs.
Now
Used to indicate a change of subject or to preface a remark
Now, let's get down to work.
Know
To have experience of
“a black stubble that had known no razor” (William Faulkner).
Now
Seeing that; since. Often used with that
Now that spring is here, we can expect milder weather.
Know
To perceive as familiar; recognize
I know that face.
Now
The present time or moment
Wouldn't work up to now.
Know
To be acquainted with
He doesn't know his neighbors.
Now
Of the present time; current
Our now governor.
Know
To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct
Knows right from wrong.
Now
(Slang) Currently fashionable; trendy
The now sound of this new rock band.
Know
To discern the character or nature of
Knew him for a liar.
Now
Present; current.
Know
(Archaic) To have sexual intercourse with.
Now
(informal) Fashionable; popular; up to date; current.
I think this band's sound is very now.
Know
To possess knowledge, understanding, or information.
Now
At the time the will is written. Used in order to prevent any inheritance from being transferred to a person of a future marriage. Does not indicate the existence of a previous marriage.
Now wife.
Know
To be cognizant or aware.
Now
At the present time.
Now I am six.
Stop that now, Jimmy!
Know
(transitive) To perceive the truth or factuality of; to be certain of or that.
I know that I’m right and you’re wrong.
He knew something terrible was going to happen.
Now
(sentential) Used to introduce a point, a qualification of what has previously been said, a remonstration or a rebuke.
Now, we all want what is best for our children.
Now Jimmy, stop that.
Know
(transitive) To be aware of; to be cognizant of.
Did you know Michelle and Jack were getting divorced? ― Yes, I knew.
She knows where I live.
I knew he was upset, but I didn't understand why.
Now
Differently from the immediate past; differently from a more remote past or a possible future; differently from all other times.
Now I am ready.
We all now want the latest toys for our children.
We all want what is now best for our children.
Know
(transitive) To be acquainted or familiar with; to have encountered.
I know your mother, but I’ve never met your father.
Now
At the time reached within a narration.
Now he remembered why he had come.
He now asked her whether she had made pudding.
The pudding was now ready to be served.
Know
(transitive) To experience.
Their relationship knew ups and downs.
Now
Used to indicate a context of urgency.
Now listen, we must do something about this.
Know
(transitive) To be able to distinguish, to discern, particularly by contrast or comparison; to recognize the nature of.}}
To know a person's face or figure
To know right from wrong
I wouldn't know one from the other.
Now
(obsolete) As 'but now': Very recently; not long ago; up to the present.
Know
(transitive) To recognize as the same (as someone or something previously encountered) after an absence or change.
Now
Used to address a switching side, or sharp change in attitude from before. (In this usage, now is usually emphasized).
Now, you want to protect me. An hour ago, you were mercilessly bullying me!
Know
To understand or have a grasp of through experience or study.
Let me do it. I know how it works.
She knows how to swim.
His mother tongue is Italian, but he also knows French and English.
She knows chemistry better than anybody else.
Know your enemy and know yourself.
Now
Sometimes; occasionally.
His face fit his roles: now smiling, now earnest, now glowering, now raging.
Know
To have sexual relations with. This meaning normally specified in modern English as e.g. to ’know someone in the biblical sense’ or to ‘know biblically.’
Now
Since, because, in light of the fact; often with that.
Now all the children have grown up and left, the house is very quiet.
Now that my sister has gotten rid of their cat, we can go to her house this coming Thanksgiving.
We can play football now that the rain has stopped.
Now that you mention it, I am kind of hungry.
Now that we're all here, let's start the meeting.
Know
(intransitive) To have knowledge; to have information, be informed.
It is vital that he not know.
She knew of our plan.
He knows about 19th century politics.
Now
Indicates a signal to begin.
Now! Fire all we've got while the enemy is in reach!
Know
(intransitive) To be or become aware or cognizant.
Did you know Michelle and Jack were getting divorced? ― Yes, I knew.
Now
(uncountable) The present time.
Now is the right time.
There is no better time than now.
Know
To be acquainted (with another person).
Now
The state of not paying attention to the future or the past.
She is living in the now.
Know
(transitive) To be able to play or perform (a song or other piece of music).
Do you know "Blueberry Hill"?
Now
A particular instant in time, as perceived at that instant.
Know
(rare) Knowledge; the state of knowing.
Now
At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now.
I have a patient now living, at an advanced age, who discharged blood from his lungs thirty years ago.
Know
Knowledge; the state of knowing; now confined to the fixed phrase ‘in the know’
Now
Very lately; not long ago.
They that but now, for honor and for plate,Made the sea blush with blood, resign their hate.
Know
Knee.
Now
At a time contemporaneous with something spoken of or contemplated; at a particular time referred to.
The ship was now in the midst of the sea.
Know
To perceive or apprehend clearly and certainly; to understand; to have full information of; as, to know one's duty.
O, that a man might knowThe end of this day's business ere it come!
There is a certainty in the proposition, and we know it.
Know how sublime a thing it isTo suffer and be strong.
Now
In present circumstances; things being as they are; - hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an inference or an explanation.
How shall any man distinguish now betwixt a parasite and a man of honor?
Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is?
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now, Barabbas was a robber.
The other great and undoing mischief which befalls men is, by their being misrepresented. Now, by calling evil good, a man is misrepresented to others in the way of slander.
Know
To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, to know things from information.
Now
Existing at the present time; present.
Know
To be acquainted with; to be no stranger to; to be more or less familiar with the person, character, etc., of; to possess experience of; as, to know an author; to know the rules of an organization.
He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.
Not to know me argues yourselves unknown.
Now
The present time or moment; the present.
Nothing is there to come, and nothing past;But an eternal now does ever last.
Know
To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, to know a person's face or figure.
Ye shall know them by their fruits.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him.
To knowFaithful friend from flattering foe.
At nearer view he thought he knew the dead.
Now
The momentary present;
Now is a good time to do it
It worked up to right now
Know
To have sexual intercourse with.
And Adam knew Eve his wife.
And I knew that thou hearest me always.
The monk he instantly knew to be the prior.
In other hands I have known money do good.
Now
At the present moment;
Goods now on sale
The now-aging dictator
They are now abroad
He is busy at present writing a new novel
It could happen any time now
Know
To have knowledge; to have a clear and certain perception; to possess wisdom, instruction, or information; - often with of.
Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
The peasant folklore of Europe still knows of willows that bleed and weep and speak when hewn.
Now
In these times;
It is solely by their language that the upper classes nowadays are distinguished
We now rarely see horse-drawn vehicles on city streets
Today almost every home has television
Know
To be assured; to feel confident.
Now
In the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events;
President Kennedy now calls in the National Guard
Washington now decides to cross the Delaware
The ship is now listing to port
Know
Be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about;
I know that the President lied to the people
I want to know who is winning the game!
I know it's time
Now
(prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity;
Now the next problem is...
Know
Know how to do or perform something;
She knows how to knit
Does your husband know how to cook?
Now
Used to preface a command or reproof or request;
Now hear this!
Now pay attention
Know
Be aware of the truth of something; have a belief or faith in something; regard as true beyond any doubt;
I know that I left the key on the table
Galileo knew that the earth moves around the sun
Now
Without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening;
He answered immediately
Found an answer straightaway
An official accused of dishonesty should be suspended forthwith
Come here now!
Know
Be familiar or acquainted with a person or an object;
She doesn't know this composer
Do you know my sister?
We know this movie
I know him under a different name
This flower is known as a Peruvian Lily
Now
In the immediate past;
Told me just now
Know
Have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions, or sensations;
I know the feeling!
Have you ever known hunger?
I have lived a kind of hell when I was a drug addict
The holocaust survivors have lived a nightmare
I lived through two divorces
Now
At the present moment.
I am reading the book now.
Know
Accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority;
The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne
We do not recognize your gods
Now
Currently or nowadays.
Now, many people work from home.
Know
Have fixed in the mind;
I know Latin
This student knows her irregular verbs
Do you know the poem well enough to recite it?
Now
Used to emphasize a command.
Stop that right now!
Know
Have sexual intercourse with;
This student sleeps with everyone in her dorm
Adam knew Eve
Were you ever intimate with this man?
Know
Know the nature or character of;
We all knew her as a big show-off
Know
Be able to distinguish, recognize as being different;
The child knows right from wrong
Know
Perceive as familiar;
I know this voice!
Know
To have information about something.
I know the capital of France is Paris.
Know
To be familiar with someone or something.
I know him from college.
Common Curiosities
Is "now" an adverb or verb?
"Now" is primarily an adverb.
Can "now" be used as a noun?
Yes, "now" can be used as a noun in contexts like "The time is now."
Do "now" and "know" sound the same?
In certain accents, "now" and "know" can sound similar, but they have different meanings.
What does "now" mean?
"Now" means at the present moment or immediately.
What is an example sentence using "now"?
"Please come here now."
What are related forms of "now"?
"Now" related forms include "currently" and "presently."
What does "know" mean?
"Know" means to have information or be aware of something.
Is "know" an adverb or verb?
"Know" is a verb.
What are related forms of "know"?
Related forms of "know" include "knowing" (gerund) and "known" (past participle).
What is an example sentence using "know"?
"I know the answer to the question."
What is the pronunciation of "know"?
"Know" is pronounced /noʊ/.
What is the pronunciation of "now"?
"Now" is pronounced /naʊ/.
How do you use "now" in a sentence?
"She needs to start the project now."
Can "now" indicate urgency?
Yes, "now" can indicate urgency, as in "Do it now."
Can "know" be used in past tense?
Yes, the past tense of "know" is "knew."
How do you use "know" in a sentence?
"They know each other from school."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
