right now

IPA/ɹˈaɪt nˈaʊ/
IPA/ɹˈaɪt nˈaʊ/

right now — idiom

1. during this exact moment, describing what is true or happening at the time of sp

1.慣用語A2
釋義

during this exact moment, describing what is true or happening at the time of speaking.

例句

Quinn is studying for her biology exam right now, so please stay quiet.

present continuous + right now for an action in progress

The roads near the harbour are flooded right now after three days of rain.

describes a current state of affairs

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

[clause] + right now

用法筆記

Sits at the end of a clause and usually pairs with the present tense. Distinguish from sense 2: here it answers 'when is this true?' rather than 'how soon must it happen?'.

常見錯誤

❌Right now I lived in Taipei.
✅Right now I live in Taipei.
💡sense 1 describes the present, so use the present tense, not the past.

2. without any delay, used to demand or promise that an action will start this inst

2.慣用語A2
釋義

without any delay, used to demand or promise that an action will start this instant.

例句

Put down that knife and step away from the stove right now!

imperative + right now for an urgent command

Ishaan promised to send the missing report right now, before the office closes.

promise to act with no delay

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

[imperative] + right now

用法筆記

Often attached to imperatives or to 'need to' for urgency. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense answers 'how soon?' and means 'this instant', not 'at the present time'.

常見錯誤

❌Please clean your room right now, you can finish tomorrow.
✅Please clean your room right now.
💡sense 2 means instantly, so it cannot be paired with a 'do it later' option.