Usage of 今にも
"今にも" is an adverb used to express that something is about to happen very soon, often implying immediacy or urgency. It is commonly used with natural phenomena, emotional expressions, or events that seem imminent.
Common Collocations
- 今にも雨が降りそう (looks like it will rain any moment)
- 今にも泣き出しそう (about to cry at any time)
- 今にも爆発しそう (about to explode)
These collocations emphasize the near certainty and immediacy of the event.
Nuance and Register
"今にも" carries a sense of immediacy and is often used in both spoken and written language. It is neutral in tone but tends to appear in contexts where the speaker wants to highlight the urgency or imminence of an event.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "今にも" with "すぐに" (immediately) or "もうすぐ" (soon). "今にも" stresses that the event could happen at any moment, often right now, whereas "すぐに" implies a short delay and "もうすぐ" indicates near future but less immediate.