now and days (nowadays)

'Now and days' splits a single adverb; the correct form is nowadays (one word). Use it to mean "at the present time" or "these days."

Short answer

Write nowadays (one word). "Now and days" and hyphenated forms like "now-a-days" are nonstandard.

Nowadays = adverb meaning "at present" or "these days."
Common alternatives: these days, currently, at present, now (choose by tone).
No hyphen, no extra spaces: write nowadays. A comma after sentence-initial nowadays is optional.

Core explanation

Nowadays is a single lexical unit. Splitting it into "now and days" creates an awkward coordination where an adverb belongs, breaking flow and drawing attention to the mistake.

Form: one word, adverbial.
Function: modifies verbs or whole clauses to indicate present time.
Effect of the error: readers pause trying to parse separate words instead of reading a single time marker.

Grammar specifics: part of speech and punctuation

As an adverb, nowadays can start a sentence, follow the subject, or sit mid-clause. Use a comma after a sentence-initial nowadays only when you want a slight pause.

Positions: "Nowadays, people..." or "People nowadays..." - both are correct.
Formality: prefer "currently" or "at present" in very formal or technical contexts.
Do not add articles or plural endings: not "the nowadays" or "nowadayses."

Wrong: Now and days, the system is updated every week.
Right: Nowadays, the system is updated every week.
Right: The system is updated weekly nowadays.

Spacing: why "now and days" breaks the word

The visible mistake is a misplaced space that splits a single-token adverb into fragments. If you hear the phrase as one beat in speech, write it as one word.

Quick test: replace the phrase with "these days" - if it fits, use nowadays or "these days."
Search your draft for "now and", "now-a", or "now-a-days" to catch split forms.
Auto-correct can create or fix the issue; always check context after automatic changes.

Hyphenation: don't hyphenate "nowadays"

Hyphenated versions like "now-a-days" are archaic or erroneous in modern English. Treat hyphenation here as wrong.

Wrong: now-a-days, now-days.
Right: nowadays.
Use hyphens only for true compound modifiers before nouns (e.g., well-known author), not for this adverb.
If you spot hyphens in older texts, update to the unhyphenated modern form when writing today.

Real usage and tone: choose the best alternative

Pick the variant that fits your audience and tone rather than forcing nowadays everywhere.

Neutral/informal: nowadays, these days.
Formal/precise: currently, at present.
Casual conversation: now, these days (no comma).

Neutral: "Nowadays, many teams use async communication."
Formal: "At present, the board is evaluating the proposal."
Casual: "These days I cycle to work."

Try your sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the phrase alone - context shows whether an adverb or another time marker works best.

Examples: wrong → right (work, school, casual)

Short rewrites by context. Pick the tone that matches your audience.

Work - Wrong: Now and days, our team uses Slack for quick updates.
Work - Right: Nowadays, our team uses Slack for quick updates.
Work - Wrong: Now and days, quarterly reports are submitted electronically.
Work - Right: Nowadays, quarterly reports are submitted electronically.
Work - Wrong: Now and days many meetings are held remotely.
Work - Right: Nowadays, many meetings are held remotely.
School - Wrong: Now and days, students prefer digital textbooks.
School - Right: Nowadays, students prefer digital textbooks.
School - Wrong: Now and days, professors post grades online.
School - Right: Nowadays, professors post grades online.
School - Wrong: Now and days study groups meet over video chat.
School - Right: Nowadays, study groups meet over video chat.
Casual - Wrong: Now and days people don't carry cash.
Casual - Right: Nowadays, people don't carry cash.
Casual - Wrong: Now and days I order food through apps.
Casual - Right: These days I order food through apps.
Casual - Wrong: Now and days it's rare to get paper invitations.
Casual - Right: Nowadays, it's rare to get paper invitations.

Rewrite help: fix your sentence in three steps (plus ready rewrites)

Three-step fix: 1) Find where you meant "at the present time"; 2) Replace with nowadays / these days / currently / at present; 3) Adjust comma placement for rhythm.

Tone tip: use "currently" or "at present" for reports; "these days" for friendly notes.
If a replacement still sounds odd, move the time phrase (start the sentence or place it after the subject).

Rewrite:
Wrong: Now and days, I'm more careful with my spending. → These days I'm more careful with my spending.
Rewrite:
Wrong: Now and days our department prioritizes training. → Nowadays, our department prioritizes training. (
Formal: "At present, our department prioritizes training.")
Rewrite:
Wrong: I think now and days remote work is standard. → Polished: "I think that nowadays remote work is standard." Or: "Remote work is now standard."

Memory trick and practice

Mnemonic: compress "now + a + days" to a single beat-if you hear one beat, write nowadays.

Practice: search your draft for "now and", "now-a", or "now-a-days". Replace and read aloud to check flow.
Editing drill: highlight every time you mean "the present time" in a paragraph and standardize the phrasing.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Other space-or-join errors pop up in everyday writing. Fixing them in one pass clears many small issues.

everyday (adjective) vs every day (adverb): "everyday chores" vs "I exercise every day."
altogether (entirely) vs all together (as a group): "Altogether, it failed." vs "We were all together."
anyway (in any case) vs any way (by any method): "I can't do it anyway." vs "Is there any way to help?"
Watch archaic or mistyped forms like "now-a-days" or "Nowanddays"-use nowadays.

Wrong: Now-a-days, people use fewer checks.
Right: Nowadays, people use fewer checks.
Wrong: Every day tasks are easier with tools.
Right: Everyday tasks are easier with tools.

FAQ

Is nowadays one word or two?

Nowadays is one word. "Now and days" and hyphenated variants are nonstandard today.

Can I use "nowadays" in formal writing?

Yes in neutral formal writing, but prefer "currently" or "at present" when you need extra precision or formality.

Should I put a comma after nowadays?

A comma after sentence-initial nowadays is optional. Use it for a natural pause: "Nowadays, many people work remotely."

What if I already wrote "now and days" in an email?

Correct it to "nowadays" or "these days." Only resend if the message's formality or clarity requires a correction.

How can I catch "now and days" automatically?

Search your document for "now and", "now-a", or "now-a-days", or run a grammar/spacing checker-most will flag the split and suggest "nowadays" or alternatives.

Quick check before you send it

Search your draft for "now and" or "now-a" and apply one of the ready rewrites above. A small edit to replace "now and days" with "nowadays" or "these days" improves clarity and flow.