nowadays
HighInformal to neutral; common in spoken and informal written English. Less common in very formal academic writing.
Definition
Meaning
At the present time, in contrast to the past.
Refers to the current period or era, often with an implied comparison to how things were done or viewed previously.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to introduce a general observation or complaint about contemporary life. It is a temporal adverb, not a noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British English in formal contexts where American English might prefer 'today' or 'currently'.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though can carry a slightly negative connotation when highlighting undesirable changes.
Frequency
Very common in both varieties, with near-identical frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Nowadays] + [Clause/Statement] (e.g., Nowadays, people work remotely).Used at the start or end of a sentence for emphasis.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's the way it is nowadays.”
- “It's a sign of the times nowadays.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss current market trends or workplace changes. 'Nowadays, remote collaboration is standard.'
Academic
Used cautiously in introductions to contrast historical and contemporary perspectives. More formal synonyms may be preferred.
Everyday
Very common for casual observations. 'Nowadays, you can order anything online.'
Technical
Rare; specific temporal markers (e.g., 'in current implementations') are preferred.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- Nowadays, I take the train to work.
- It's much quieter in the village nowadays.
American English
- Nowadays, you hardly ever see a payphone.
- Kids grow up so fast nowadays.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Nowadays many people have mobile phones.
- Children watch a lot of TV nowadays.
- Nowadays it's easy to stay in touch with friends abroad.
- People are more health-conscious nowadays.
- Nowadays, the gig economy provides flexible work for millions.
- Political discourse has become increasingly polarised nowadays.
- Nowadays, the pervasive influence of social media on public opinion is widely debated.
- Critics argue that the novel's themes are even more pertinent nowadays than at its publication.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: NOW + A + DAYS = 'in these present days'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MOVING POINT (we are at the 'now' point on the timeline).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'now' (сейчас) alone; 'nowadays' implies a broader current period. Do not translate as 'в наши дни' in every context; 'в настоящее время' or 'сегодня' might be more accurate depending on formality.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun: *'The nowadays is different.' (Incorrect) vs. 'Nowadays is different.' (Correct but awkward). Better: 'Things are different nowadays.'
- Overusing it in formal essays where 'currently' or 'in contemporary society' is better.
- Spelling: *'nowdays' (missing the middle 'a').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'nowadays' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but leans informal. In very formal academic or business reports, consider 'currently', 'at present', or 'in contemporary society'.
Yes, it can be used at the beginning or end. 'People travel more nowadays.' is perfectly correct.
'Today' can mean literally 'on this specific day' or refer to the present era. 'Nowadays' only refers to the present era in a general sense and is never used for a single calendar day.
It is one word. The historical form 'now-a-days' or 'now a days' is obsolete.
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