Now is usually used for contrasting the present with the past.
In conversation and in less formal writing, you use right now or just now to say that a situation exists at present, although it may change in the future.
You also use right now to emphasize that something is happening now.
If you say that something happened just now, you mean that it happened a very short time ago.
If you intend to do something now or right now, you intend to do it immediately, without any delay.
Be Careful!
Don't use 'right now' or 'just now' in formal writing.
| Noun | 1. | now - the momentary present; "Now is a good time to do it"; "it worked up to right now" |
| Adv. | 1. | 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" |
| 2. | ||
| 3. | now - used to preface a command or reproof or request; "now hear this!"; "now pay attention" | |
| 4. | 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" | |
| 5. | 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!" | |
| 6. | now - (prefatory or transitional) indicates a change of subject or activity; "Now the next problem is..." | |
| 7. | now - in the immediate past; "told me just now" |