Thread: whats the difference between "right now" and

help me,

whats the difference between "right now" and "right away"

and right away )

"Right now" means that an action has already started, wheras "right away" means that it is imminent.

I am doing it right now.

I shall ("will" in AmE) do it right away.

Мне кажется, что модеры перенесут твой топик в "English for Russians".

Originally Posted by scotcher

"Right now" means that an action has already started, wheras "right away" means that it is imminent.

I am doing it right now.

I shall ("will" in AmE) do it right away.

Correct. Although these terms are used interchangeably sometimes, there is a difference:

right now = прямо сейчас, в этот момент (something takes place right now)
right away = сразу же, немедленно; тотчас (something will take place right away).

American English:
"Right now" means "immediately".
"Right away" is is less emphatic; it could mean: "right now" but often would mean "as soon as convenient" or "as soon as I can get to it". "Right away" may often have a sarcastic tone to it.

Right now means now,
Right away means future.

I am reading a book right now.
I'll bring you a book right away.

In Russian сейчас may be both:
Сечйас читаю. Right now
Сейчас принесу вам книгу. Right away

Или, как писал Сава в «Винни-Пух»,
Ушол. Щас вирнусь.

Originally Posted by chaika

Right now means now,
Right away means future.

I am reading a book right now.
I'll bring you a book right away.

In Russian сейчас may be both:
Сейчас читаю. Right now
Сейчас принесу вам книгу. Right away

Или, как писал Сава в «Винни-Пух»,
Ушол. Щас вирнусь.

Agree. See my post above.
PS. "Ушол. Щас вирнусь." - A quote? Just like that, with mistakes?

Originally Posted by charlestonian

PS. "Ушол. Щас вирнусь." - A quote? Just like that, with mistakes?

Это же сАва. Она пишет с АшЫпками.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by charlestonian

PS. "Ушол. Щас вирнусь." - A quote? Just like that, with mistakes?

Это же сАва. Она пишет с АшЫпками.

Gotcha.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by charlestonian

PS. "Ушол. Щас вирнусь." - A quote? Just like that, with mistakes?

Это же сАва. Она пишет с АшЫпками.

А вот и не Сава нифига! Я на прошлой неделе читал сыну Винни-Пуха - это Кристофер Робин писал. :P

Originally Posted by Siriusly

"Right away" ...... often would mean "as soon as convenient" or "as soon as I can get to it". "Right away" may often have a sarcastic tone to it.

That reminds me of "как тока (только) так и сразу".

Originally Posted by E-learner

Originally Posted by Siriusly

"Right away" ...... often would mean "as soon as convenient" or "as soon as I can get to it". "Right away" may often have a sarcastic tone to it.

That reminds me of "как тока (только) так и сразу".

Good comparison

chas, yes, a quote. I have the Russian version of the book Винни-пух (Winnie the Pooh), a fun read. (But did not double check the spelling -that is how I think he wrote it over his hole in the tree).