Cool MateAt present vs Nowadays
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At present
Top 2,000 (common)
Nowadays
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| At present | Nowadays | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ət ˈprɛzənt//🇺🇸 //æt ˈprɛzənt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnaʊədeɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnaʊədeɪz/"]/ |
| Meaning | Right now or currently. | Today or in the present time |
| Example | At present, I am working on a new project. | Nowadays most kids prefer going online to reading books. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | at present time, at present moment, at present issue | nowadays people, nowadays technology, nowadays lifestyle, nowadays children |
| Antonyms | - | formerly, previously, in the past, once |
| Common mistakes | Using 'present' alone instead of the full phrase., Confusing 'at present' with 'in the present'., Using it in overly casual contexts where 'now' is more appropriate. | Using 'nowadays' with past tense verbs, Confusing 'nowadays' with 'these days', Not placing 'nowadays' at the beginning or end of a sentence |
| Usage notes | Use 'at present' in writing or formal speech. It sounds more professional than 'right now'. Avoid using in casual conversations. | Use 'nowadays' when talking about things that are true in the present time but may not have been true in the past. It is neutral and appropriate for both spoken and written English, but avoid using it in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: At present vs Nowadays
What's the difference between At present and Nowadays?
At present: Right now or currently. Nowadays: Today or in the present time
Can you show an example of each?
At present: At present, I am working on a new project. Nowadays: Nowadays most kids prefer going online to reading books.
Can I use At present and Nowadays interchangeably?
Not always. At present and Nowadays are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.