at present however

USAGE SUMMARY

'at present however' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to introduce a contrasting idea following what was previously stated. For example: I was feeling overwhelmed earlier, but at present however, I am feeling much better.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At present, however, collectively we are not.

The New York Times

At present, however, there is a snag.

The Guardian

At present, however, the state of refugee education is unacceptable.

The Guardian

At present, however, it involves only 300 acres.

The New York Times

At present, however, that information is not consolidated across jurisdictions.

The Guardian

The technology does pose some difficulties at present, however.

MIT Technology Review

At present, however, this expectation has been disappointed.

Nature

At present, however, the lag time is mainly estimated qualitatively.

Engineering Geology

At present, however, his imaginative seed would seem to be falling on barren ground.

The New York Times - Books

At present, however, the greatest obstacle to further development of the Amazon basin is economic.

The Guardian

At present, however, this conclusion to the hour and half-long performance is too abrupt.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at present however", ensure it logically connects to the previous statement. The 'however' should introduce a genuine contrast, not an unrelated point.

Common error

Avoid using "at present however" when simply adding information that doesn't contradict or contrast with the previous statement. Use transitional words like "furthermore" or "in addition" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at present however" functions as an adverbial conjunction, modifying the clause it introduces by indicating a contrast or a change in the current state of affairs. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at present however" serves as an effective way to introduce a contrast or a change in the current situation, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical function is that of an adverbial conjunction. It is commonly found in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science, demonstrating a neutral level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure a clear contrast with the preceding statement to avoid misuse. Consider alternatives like "currently though" or "but presently" for stylistic variation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and offers numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently though

Replaces "at present" with "currently", maintaining a sense of immediacy but with different wording.

but presently

Inverts the order and uses "presently" instead of "at present" for a slight variation in tone.

as it stands though

Emphasizes the existing condition or situation, providing a more descriptive alternative.

in the current situation however

Highlights the relevance of the current circumstances.

notwithstanding the current situation

More formal and acknowledges a previous point before introducing the contrasting element.

yet in these times

Introduces a sense of temporal contrast.

even so at this time

Offers a slightly more emphatic contrast while keeping the temporal focus.

in spite of that presently

Highlights a contrast despite a preceding factor.

that being said at the moment

A common phrase to mark a transition to a contrasting view.

despite this at this point in time

Emphasizes a contrast despite what was previously mentioned.

FAQs

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

"At present however" is best used to introduce a contrast or a change in the current situation. For example, 'The project was on track, "at present however", unforeseen issues have caused delays'.

What are some alternatives to "at present however" that I can use to vary my writing?

Alternatives include "currently though", "but presently", or "as it stands though". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "at present however" considered formal or informal language?

"At present however" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, although more formal alternatives like "notwithstanding the current situation" may be preferred in highly formal contexts.

Can I use "at present however" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "at present however" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to provide a clear transition and highlight a contrast with previous information. For example, "At present however, there are few widespread systems to capture either for drinking purposes."