at present

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at present" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom which is used to indicate the present time or present situation. For example, "At present, I am living in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At present, the I.T.U.

The New York Times

Not at present.

The Economist

At present, it does.

The Economist

At present it doesn't.

The Economist

At present, opinion in Wash.

The New Yorker

"I'm quite well at present.

The New Yorker

At present they are not.

The Economist

At present that is implausible.

The Economist

At present they take four.

Independent

At present, they are mistaken.

The Economist

Probably, not much at present.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at present" to emphasize the current state of affairs, especially when contrasting it with a past or future state. For instance: "At present, the company is focusing on its core business, but plans to expand into new markets next year."

Common error

Don't use "at present" in contexts where "now" or "currently" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at present" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the time frame in which the action or state occurs. It specifies that something is happening or is true now. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid idiom for indicating the present time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at present" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that effectively indicates the current time or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is an idiom used to indicate present time. While interchangeable with simpler alternatives like "now" or "currently", "at present" carries a slightly more formal tone. Analysis of various authoritative sources, including The Economist, The New York Times, and BBC, reveals that the phrase is most frequently employed in news and media contexts. When using "at present", writers should ensure it's appropriate for the context and avoid redundancy by overusing it in place of simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently

A more concise and direct synonym.

now

A very simple and common alternative.

at the moment

Emphasizes the specific point in time.

at this time

A slightly more formal alternative.

for the time being

Suggests a temporary situation.

as it stands

Implies a current state that may change.

in the current climate

Often used when discussing conditions or trends.

in today's world

Used to refer to modern times.

these days

Refers to a general time period around the present.

things being what they are

Acknowledges the present circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "at present" in a sentence?

Use "at present" to describe the current situation or state of something. For example, "At present, the project is still in its early stages."

What are some alternatives to using "at present"?

You can use alternatives such as "currently", "now", or "at the moment" depending on the specific context.

Is "at present" more formal than "now"?

Yes, "at present" is generally considered more formal than "now" or "currently". Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "at present" and "for the time being"?

"At present" refers to the current situation without necessarily implying a change, while "for the time being" suggests that the situation is temporary and likely to change.