Cool MateAt present vs Presently
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At present
Top 2,000 (common)
Presently
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
| At present | Presently | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ət ˈprɛzənt//🇺🇸 //æt ˈprɛzənt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprezntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprezntli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Right now or currently. | Right now; at this time. |
| Example | At present, I am working on a new project. | The crime is presently being investigated by the police. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | at present time, at present moment, at present issue | presently available, presently under review, presently working, presently experiencing, presently engaged |
| Antonyms | - | formerly, previously, later, eventually |
| 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. | 'Presently' used to mean 'soon' instead of 'now'., Confusing 'presently' with 'currently' in terms of formality., 'Presently' used too often in formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'at present' in writing or formal speech. It sounds more professional than 'right now'. Avoid using in casual conversations. | Use 'presently' in neutral contexts to indicate something happening now. Avoid in very formal writing where 'currently' or 'at this moment' might be clearer. |
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Frequently asked questions: At present vs Presently
What's the difference between At present and Presently?
At present: Right now or currently. Presently: Right now; at this time.
Can you show an example of each?
At present: At present, I am working on a new project. Presently: The crime is presently being investigated by the police.
Can I use At present and Presently interchangeably?
Not always. At present and Presently 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.