Cool MateAt present vs Currently
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At present
Top 2,000 (common)
Currently
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Most common: Currently
| At present | Currently | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ət ˈprɛzənt//🇺🇸 //æt ˈprɛzənt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkʌrəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɜːrəntli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Right now or currently. | right now |
| Example | At present, I am working on a new project. | The hourly charge is currently £35. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | at present time, at present moment, at present issue | currently available, currently working, currently experiencing |
| Antonyms | - | previously, formerly |
| 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 'currently' in a past context, which is incorrect., Confusing 'currently' with 'actually' or 'really.', Overusing 'currently' when 'now' would suffice. |
| Usage notes | Use 'at present' in writing or formal speech. It sounds more professional than 'right now'. Avoid using in casual conversations. | Use this when talking about situations happening at the present time. Avoid in very formal contexts; instead, use 'at present.' |
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Frequently asked questions: At present vs Currently
What's the difference between At present and Currently?
At present: Right now or currently. Currently: right now
Which is more common: At present and Currently?
Currently is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
At present: At present, I am working on a new project. Currently: The hourly charge is currently £35.
Can I use At present and Currently interchangeably?
Not always. At present and Currently 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.