He was more careful now.

Meaning: This means that he was taking more care to avoid harm or error at the present time.

Choice of Words: Careful means taking care to avoid harm or error. Now means at the present time. When you put them together, "He was more careful now" means he was taking more care to avoid harm or error in the present time.

Alternative Expressions

He was being more careful now.

Meaning: This means the same as the first example, but it emphasizes that the person is actively making an effort to be careful. It's like saying, He is actively paying attention and being cautious at this moment.

Choice of Words: He refers to a person that is already known. Was is the past tense of to be. Being is the present participle of to be. More means to a greater degree or extent. Careful means to take care or be cautious. Now refers to the present moment. When you put them together, "He was being more careful now" means that the person was taking more care or being more cautious in the present moment.

He had become more careful now.

Meaning: This means that the person was not always careful, but now they are. It's like saying, He used to not be careful, but now he is.

Choice of Words: He refers to a person that is already known. Had is the past tense of to have. Become means to come to be or to change into a different state. More means to a greater degree or extent. Careful means to take care or be cautious. Now refers to the present moment. When you put them together, "He had become more careful now" means that the person had changed into a state of being more careful in the present moment.

Related Expressions