Is "now" acting as an interjection rather than a present of time?

Question

Is "now" an interjection in this sentence:

"Now, that's a fast car!"

I get pretty confused on deciding if "now" is an acting as an interjection or present time. I think it is an interjection, but I just want to make sure so I don't look dumb. Am I right?

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

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It's still considered an adverb in that usage. Here's the relevant definition from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged:

3 — used with the sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an important point or indicate a transition from one idea to another

now, this central cord is present in all the vertebrate animals we have so far mentioned — W. E. Swinton

now this point of view...seems to me absolutely unhistorical — Edmund Wilson

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

1

answered Nov 11 '16 at 05:07

Andy Schweig

1,208

When is it not an adverb? – Tim Nov 11 '16 at 05:34
It can be a noun meaning "the present time"; an adjective meaning "of or relating to the present time"; and a conjunction as in "I'm ready to go out now that I have my jacket on." (This is all from the same dictionary entry cited above.) – Andy Schweig Nov 11 '16 at 05:56
If it's an adverb, what does it modify? – deadrat Nov 11 '16 at 07:06
"Is", I suppose. – Andy Schweig Nov 11 '16 at 07:49
Is it because "that" comes after? – Tim Nov 11 '16 at 10:04
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Adverbs don't modify to be. See the posts by @BillJ at, Linking verbs and Adverbs – Alan Carmack Nov 11 '16 at 13:19
To be precise, adverbs don't modify copulative to be – Alan Carmack Nov 11 '16 at 13:35
Is my answer wrong? If so, I'll delete it. – Andy Schweig Nov 11 '16 at 14:30

Is "*now*" acting as an interjection rather than a present of time?

1 Answers1

Is "now" acting as an interjection rather than a present of time?