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By now vs Hitherto

Both "by now" and "hitherto" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "By now" is commonly used to refer to a point in time that is already past, while "hitherto" is a more formal and less commonly used term that means "up to this time." They are not interchangeable due to their different levels of formality and usage.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 628 views

By now

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a point in time that is already past.

Use "by now" to refer to something that should have happened or become true at the present time or before the present time.

Examples:

  • By now, you should have received the package.
  • I thought you would have finished your homework by now.
  • By now, they must have arrived at the airport.
  • By now, she should have made a decision.
  • By now, the meeting should have started.
  • By now he thinks freedom is something he dreamed.
  • By now... there's nothing which is good for me yet.
  • By now, it would be assigned to someone else.
  • By now, these things just feel wrong.
  • By now, he's completely submissive to her.
  • By now, most of you know who I am.
  • By now he's found the house again.
  • By now I was close-knit with you.
  • By now, they've taken the turbine room.
  • By now they should be digging pits, putting bags of sand up.
  • By now, all the merchandise is accounted for.
  • By now, the pattern is all too familiar.
  • By now most of the urban cities has to be compromised.
  • By now, everyone is looking for me...
  • By now you realize that escape is impossible.
  • By now, the Wraith will be upon him.
  • By now it's your trademark.
  • By now, Solomon is dead by his own deeds.
  • By now the stuff is out of your system.
  • By now, it should be emitting the unmistakable odor of putrefaction.

Alternatives:

  • at this point
  • by this time
  • already

Hitherto

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English. It is a formal term that means "up to this time."

Use "hitherto" in formal or literary contexts to mean "up to this time" or "until now."
  • Hitherto the Commission has accepted that earthquakes, avalanches, landslides and floods may constitute natural disasters.
  • Hitherto many Commission measures have been based on trial and error.
  • Hitherto these were excluded by virtue of the old Article 13.
  • Hitherto, they have derived little benefit from the programmes proposed by the Commission.
  • Hitherto we have taken a clear sectoral approach, and I believe we must not forgo this.
  • Hitherto the Group has only been able to place limited volumes in the market [179] and there is nothing to indicate that investors' interest will be any different in future.
  • Hitherto, however, participation by such enterprises in the Leonardo programme has been limited.
  • Hitherto, not all Member States have given permission for such activity.
  • Hitherto, the deadline was 30 September.
  • Hitherto the world of space has been too isolated and not well communicated.
  • Hitherto, however, these agencies have earned themselves a dishonourable reputation.
  • Hitherto, Turkey has made rather slow progress with regard to reforms.
  • Hitherto, this was only done when issuing residence permits.
  • Hitherto, Armenia has not really been the main concern of the European Union.
  • Hitherto the basic 'non-vaccination' policy has assigned undue priority to trade-policy aspects.
  • Hitherto, no systematic research has been carried out into global climate change and its implications for the state of fish stocks.
  • Hitherto, people have regarded it as a routine annual exercise when we have had to debate prices for agricultural products.
  • Hitherto, the Community has covered up to 80% of the costs of Grotius projects.
  • Hitherto this has been out of the question of course.
  • Hitherto, this has been somewhat taboo up to a certain point.

Alternatives:

  • up to now
  • until now
  • so far

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