Then and Now — Contrasting the Past and Present

How do you clearly contrast “then” and “now”?

Notice

  • I used to hate coffee, but now I drink it every day.
  • We didn’t use to have a car; now we have two.
  • Life used to be simpler.

Rule

Pairing used to with but now / these days / nowadays makes a clean, natural then-vs-now contrast — a very common real-life speaking and writing pattern at B1.

Practice

  1. I used to walk to work, but ___ I drive.
    Answer: now
  2. We didn’t use to have internet; ___ , everyone does.
    Answer: nowadays
  3. She used to be shy, but ___ she’s very confident.
    Answer: now
  4. Combine: “I used to smoke. I stopped.” (one sentence)
    Answer: I used to smoke, but I’ve stopped now.
  5. Life used to be harder, but ___ things are easier.
    Answer: now/these days

Connect

Practise then-vs-now sentences with our Sentence Builder.

Try Sentence Builder →

CEFR: Spoken Interaction — discuss changes in lifestyle with a partner or in writing.

Azizul Hakim
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