but at present

USAGE SUMMARY

"but at present" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a contrast between the current state and what might have been expected or anticipated. For example, "Many people had predicted that the candidate would lose the election, but at present, the results are still too close to call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But at present there is no alternative.

The Economist

But at present, the male casting seems definitive.

The New York Times - Arts

But at present this is still a trickle.

The Guardian

But at present, we haven't seen this happen".

The New York Times

This could evolve into something spectacular, but at present it's too unforgiving to fully enjoy.

The Guardian - Tech

Arguably so much information might muddy the waters but at present they are far from clear.

The Guardian - Sport

He says: "There is a debate to be had but at present it's a dishonest one.

The Guardian - Arts

But at present, Julia's only plans for television involve a few special shows with James Beard.

The New Yorker

But at present, the two ways to do that both have their downsides.

The New York Times

But at present there is none: there is only the history of Europeans in Africa.

The Guardian - Opinion

But at present there is no equivalent to the unified force of the Government Digital Service.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but at present", ensure the contrast is clear. Follow it with a statement that shows a different situation either existed before or is expected in the future. For example, "The company was struggling, but at present, sales are up."

Common error

Avoid using "but at present" when referring to a state that is expected to be permanent. This phrase implies a temporary condition, so using it for long-term situations can be misleading. For example, avoid saying, "The building is old, but at present, it stands firm", if the building is structurally sound for the foreseeable future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but at present" functions as a transitional phrase, introducing a contrast to a preceding statement while specifying the current state or situation. It indicates a temporary condition or circumstance, as supported by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but at present" is a very common and grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast with the current state of affairs. As indicated by Ludwig's analysis, it is primarily used in News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to contrast it with a past or expected situation. Remember that while alternatives such as "however currently" or "yet in the meantime" exist, "but at present" effectively marks a temporary contrast, supported by numerous examples in the Ludwig database. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English to express a contrast between what is and what was or might be.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however as things stand

This option is very similar to "but as it stands", emphasizing the present situation without predicting change.

but as it stands

The phrase "as it stands" focuses on the existing state, making it a direct synonym for "at present" in many contexts.

however currently

This alternative replaces "at present" with "currently", maintaining a similar sense of immediacy but can feel slightly more formal.

still at this moment

Using "at this moment" emphasizes the present time, similar to "at present", while "still" acknowledges a continuing condition.

nonetheless for the time being

"For the time being" communicates the temporary nature effectively, while "nonetheless" introduces a contrast.

yet for the moment

The phrase "for the moment" emphasizes the temporary nature and is slightly less formal than "at present".

nevertheless for now

This alternative emphasizes the temporary nature of the situation, using "for now" to soften the contrast introduced by "nevertheless".

yet in the meantime

This option uses "in the meantime" to highlight that the current situation is a temporary placeholder before something else happens.

but under the present circumstances

This alternative highlights that the situation is dependent on the current circumstances or conditions.

but in the current climate

This phrase specifies that the current situation is influenced by external factors creating a certain condition or atmosphere.

FAQs

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

Use "but at present" to contrast a current situation with a previous or expected one. For example, "The project was delayed, but at present, it's back on track."

What's a more formal way to say "but at present"?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "however currently" or "nevertheless for now", depending on the specific context.

Is "but at present" always necessary, or can I omit "but"?

While you can sometimes omit "but" for brevity, including it often strengthens the contrast. Omitting it might make the sentence sound less emphatic. For example, compare "The team is struggling, at present, they're working hard" with "The team is struggling, but at present, they're working hard".

What's the difference between "but at present" and "but currently"?

The phrases "but at present" and "but currently" are very similar. "At present" often implies a more temporary state than "currently", but the difference is subtle.