For now means for the time being, until something changes. It describes a temporary situation or decision that will probably change later: Let's stop here for now. At the end of an email or a conversation, you'll hear That's all for now and Bye for now.
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clause + for now; For now, + clause; that's all for now; bye for now
- Let's leave this question for now and come back to it after lunch.
- I'm renting a small flat for now, but I'd like to buy a house one day.
- That's all for now; I'll send you the rest of the details tomorrow.
What changed
First versionFor now I have read three chapters of the book.
RevisionSo far I have read three chapters of the book.
For now and so far both talk about the present moment, but they mean different things. So far sums up what has happened until now: how much has already been done. For now describes a temporary arrangement. Three chapters read is a result up to now, so So far is correct.
For the moment means almost the same as for now: The road is closed for the moment. Now on its own doesn't make a situation sound temporary: I live in Kazan now means “these days I live in Kazan”, while I live in Kazan for now means “I live in Kazan for the time being, and we'll see what happens next”.
Your turn
We haven't found a new designer yet, so Maria will do the job ___.
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for now — Maria is covering the job temporarily, until a new designer is found: for now. So far would sum up a result up to this point and would need a different verb tense: So far Maria has done two projects.
Describe a temporary arrangement at work, in your studies or at home. Say what you are doing for the time being and what you plan to do later, using for now.
For now I'm working at my kitchen table, but next month I plan to buy a proper desk.
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