Cool MateNowadays vs Presently
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Nowadays
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Presently
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
| Nowadays | Presently | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnaʊədeɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnaʊədeɪz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprezntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprezntli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Today or in the present time | Right now; at this time. |
| Example | Nowadays most kids prefer going online to reading books. | The crime is presently being investigated by the police. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | nowadays people, nowadays technology, nowadays lifestyle, nowadays children | presently available, presently under review, presently working, presently experiencing, presently engaged |
| Antonyms | formerly, previously, in the past, once | formerly, previously, later, eventually |
| Common mistakes | Using 'nowadays' with past tense verbs, Confusing 'nowadays' with 'these days', Not placing 'nowadays' at the beginning or end of a sentence | '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 '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. | 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: Nowadays vs Presently
What's the difference between Nowadays and Presently?
Nowadays: Today or in the present time Presently: Right now; at this time.
Which is more advanced: Nowadays and Presently?
Presently is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Nowadays and Presently the same CEFR level?
Nowadays: B2, Presently: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Nowadays and Presently?
Nowadays: adverb, Presently: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Nowadays: Nowadays most kids prefer going online to reading books. Presently: The crime is presently being investigated by the police.
Can I use Nowadays and Presently interchangeably?
Not always. Nowadays 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.