Then vs. Now — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024

"Then" refers to a specific point in the past, while "now" indicates the present moment or current circumstances.

Difference Between Then and Now

Key Differences

"Then" is used to describe a past event or condition. For instance, you might recall a specific memory or era by saying, "Back then, life was simpler." In contrast, "now" emphasizes what's happening in the present moment or today's context, like, "Now, we have advanced technology."

"Then" can also refer to the next event in a sequence, like, "We went to the park, and then we had lunch." Whereas "now" expresses an immediate, current situation, such as, "Now, we should focus on our homework."

"Then" often serves as a connector between events, indicating a logical sequence. On the other hand, "now" creates urgency or focus on the current task or condition.

"Then" can also imply conditional consequences, like, "If you study hard, then you'll succeed." In contrast, "now" doesn't typically convey conditions but provides immediate attention.

"Then" carries a nostalgic or reflective tone when discussing the past, whereas "now" is more about contemporary actions and realities.

Comparison Chart

Temporal reference

Past events or conditions

Present moment

Sequential meaning

Next in a sequence

Not applicable

Conditional use

Indicates consequence

Not conditional

Nostalgic tone

Reflective of the past

Not typically nostalgic

Contextual urgency

No immediate urgency

Emphasizes current urgency

Compare with Definitions

Then

At a specific point in the past.

Back then, he was just starting his career.

Now

Immediately or promptly.

You should start your assignment now.

Then

Indicative of past events generally.

The world was quite different then.

Now

At this current moment.

Now, she's leading the project.

Then

Following in time or sequence.

We had breakfast, then took a walk.

Now

Nowadays, referring to the current era.

People are more connected now.

Then

Consequently or therefore.

If you finish your homework, then you can play.

Now

Used for emphasis.

Now, let's focus on the main objective.

Then

At that time, used with "since."

He's grown a lot since then.

Now

Indicating a significant transition.

He's now the team's captain.

Then

At that time; at the time in question

He accepted a peerage from the then Prime Minister, Edward Heath

Phoebe by then was exhausted

I was living in Cairo then

Now

At the present time

Goods now on sale.

The now aging dictator.

Then

After that; next; afterwards

She won the first and then the second game

Now

At once; immediately

Stop now.

Then

In that case; therefore

If you do what I tell you, then there's nothing to worry about

Well, that's okay then

Now

In the immediate past; very recently

Left the room just now.

Then

At that time

I was still in school then. Come at noon.

I'll be ready then.

Now

At this point in the series of events; then

The ship was now listing to port.

Then

Next in time, space, or order; immediately afterward

Watched the late movie and then went to bed.

Now

At times; sometimes

Now hot, now cold.

Then

In addition; moreover; besides

It costs $20, and then there's the sales tax to pay.

Now

Nowadays.

Then

Used after but to qualify or balance a preceding statement

The star was nervous, but then who isn't on the first night of a new play.

Now

In these circumstances; as things are

Now we won't be able to stay.

Then

In that case; accordingly

If traffic is heavy, then allow extra time.

Now

Used to introduce a command, reproof, or request

Now pay attention.

Then

As a consequence; therefore

The case, then, is closed.

Now

Used to indicate a change of subject or to preface a remark

Now, let's get down to work.

Then

Usage Problem And after that

I showered, then combed my hair.

Now

Seeing that; since. Often used with that

Now that spring is here, we can expect milder weather.

Then

That time or moment

The bus leaves at four.

Until then let's walk.

Now

The present time or moment

Wouldn't work up to now.

Then

Being so at that time

The then chairman of the board.

Now

Of the present time; current

Our now governor.

Then

(temporal location) At that time.

He was happy then.

Now

(Slang) Currently fashionable; trendy

The now sound of this new rock band.

Then

(temporal location) Soon afterward.

He fixed it, then left.

Turn left, then right, then right again, then keep going until you reach the service station.

Now

Present; current.

Then

(sequence) Next in order of place.

There are three green ones, then a blue one.

Now

(informal) Fashionable; popular; up to date; current.

I think this band's sound is very now.

Then

In addition; also; besides.

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.

Then

(conjunctive) In that case.

If it’s locked, then we’ll need the key.

Is it 12 o'clock already? Then it's time for me to leave.

You don't like potatoes? What do you want me to cook, then?

Now

At the present time.

Now I am six.

Stop that now, Jimmy!

Then

(sequence) At the same time; on the other hand.

That’s a nice shirt, but then, so is the other one.

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.

Then

Used to contradict an assertion.

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.

Then

Being so at that time.

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.

Then

That time

It will be finished before then.

Now

Used to indicate a context of urgency.

Now listen, we must do something about this.

Then

Obsolete spelling of than

Now

(obsolete) As 'but now': Very recently; not long ago; up to the present.

Then

At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future).

And the Canaanite was then in the land.

Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

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!

Then

Soon afterward, or immediately; next; afterward.

First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Now

Sometimes; occasionally.

His face fit his roles: now smiling, now earnest, now glowering, now raging.

Then

At another time; later; again.

One while the master is not aware of what is done, and then in other cases it may fall out to be own act.

But that opinion, I trust, by then this following argument hath been well read, will be left for one of the mysteries of an indulgent Antichrist.

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.

Then

Than.

Now

Indicates a signal to begin.

Now! Fire all we've got while the enemy is in reach!

Then

In that case; in consequence; as a consequence; therefore; for this reason.

If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom.

Now, then, be all thy weighty cares away.

Now

(uncountable) The present time.

Now is the right time.

There is no better time than now.

Then

That time; that moment;

We will arrive before then

We were friends from then on

Now

The state of not paying attention to the future or the past.

She is living in the now.

Then

At a specific prior time;

The then president

Now

A particular instant in time, as perceived at that instant.

Then

Subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors);

Then he left

Go left first, then right

First came lightning, then thunder

We watched the late movie and then went to bed

And so home and to bed

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.

Then

In that case or as a consequence;

If he didn't take it, then who did?

Keep it then if you want to

The case, then, is closed

You've made up your mind then?

Then you'll be rich

Now

Very lately; not long ago.

They that but now, for honor and for plate,Made the sea blush with blood, resign their hate.

Then

At that time;

I was young then

Prices were lower back then

Science as it was then taught

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.

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.

Now

Existing at the present time; present.

Now

The present time or moment; the present.

Nothing is there to come, and nothing past;But an eternal now does ever last.

Now

The momentary present;

Now is a good time to do it

It worked up to right now

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

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

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

Now

(prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity;

Now the next problem is...

Now

Used to preface a command or reproof or request;

Now hear this!

Now pay attention

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!

Now

In the immediate past;

Told me just now

Common Curiosities

Can "now" indicate a time period instead of a specific moment?

Yes, it can imply a broader current era, like "in today's world" or "nowadays."

Does "now" always imply urgency?

Not always; it can simply refer to the current moment without urgency.

Is "now" used differently in spoken versus written English?

"Now" is common in both, but in spoken English, it can be used more frequently as a discourse marker to manage conversations or emphasize points.

Can "then" and "now" be used together?

Yes, they can be used together to contrast past and present, e.g., "Then, we relied on books; now, we use the internet."

Is "then" always referring to the past?

Primarily, yes, but it can also indicate logical sequence or conditional outcomes.

Are there formal or informal preferences for using "then" and "now"?

Both "then" and "now" are versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts, though the structure and tone of the surrounding content can affect their appropriateness.

How can "then" be used in conditional sentences?

"Then" connects the condition to the result, e.g., "If you practice daily, then you'll improve."

Can "now" be used to introduce a change in topic or action in a conversation?

Yes, "now" is often used to shift focus in conversations, indicating a move to a new topic or action, e.g., "Now, let’s talk about our next project."

How do the uses of "then" and "now" differ in storytelling?

In storytelling, "then" often sets the scene in a past context or narrates a sequence of events, while "now" brings the story to the present, highlighting current actions or states.

Can "then" be used without a preceding event?

Typically, "then" is used in relation to a preceding event or statement; using it without one might lead to unclear or incomplete narratives.

What are some synonyms for "then" that can help clarify its different uses?

Synonyms include "subsequently" for sequences, "therefore" for conditional outcomes, and "at that time" for historical references.

How can "then" be used to compare past and present situations?

"Then" can highlight changes over time when used in comparisons, e.g., "Gas was cheaper then than it is now."

What are some synonyms for "now" in different contexts?

"Currently," "at present," and "today" can serve as synonyms, depending on whether the context is immediate or more general.

How can the misuse of "then" and "now" affect communication clarity?

Misusing "then" and "now" can lead to temporal confusion, making it hard for listeners or readers to understand the timeline or urgency of discussed events.

How does the cultural context affect the use of "then" and "now"?

Cultural changes over time can be highlighted by contrasting "then" and "now," showing how attitudes, technology, or lifestyles have shifted.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Urooj Arif

Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

Co-written by

Maham Liaqat

Then vs. Now — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Then and Now

Table of Contents

Key Differences

Comparison Chart

Temporal reference

Sequential meaning

Conditional use

Nostalgic tone

Contextual urgency

Compare with Definitions

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