not at present

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not at present" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to answer questions about the present or future when you want to say that something does not or will not happen or exist right now. For example: "Are you working on the project?" "No, not at present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not at present.

The Economist

It is not at present.

The Economist

Quota not at present filled.

The New Yorker

That, however, is not at present a fashionable view.

The Guardian - Books

The Food Standards Agency thinks not at present.

The Guardian

Amor asteroids therefore do not at present cross Earth's orbit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like it or not, at present his is the only articulation of leadership.

The New York Times

It was concluded that this is not at present feasible on grounds of supply.

The Guardian

Greta inquired about girlfriends and he reddened, said he was afraid not, not at present.

The New Yorker

This will take strong licensing reforms, which are not at present on the table.

The Guardian - Opinion

The PQ does not at present have a strong, established leader.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at present" when you want to convey a temporary state, suggesting that a situation might change in the future. For example, "We are not at present accepting new applications, but please check back later."

Common error

Avoid using "not at present" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not now" or "not yet."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at present" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression in English. Examples show it negates the present occurrence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not at present" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase for expressing a temporary negation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid in English. It is most commonly found in news and media and scientific writing. While correct, it is not adequate for casual conversations since it could sound too formal. When writing, keep in mind that alternatives like "not now" or "not yet" could be best suited in several contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not currently

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the situation, similar to "not at present".

not for the time being

Indicates a temporary situation, implying it may change later.

not at this time

Slightly more formal than "not now", but conveys the same meaning.

not now

A more informal and direct way of saying "not at present".

not yet

Suggests something is expected to happen in the future, but hasn't happened now.

not in the meantime

Focuses on the interim period, suggesting a future change.

not so far

Implies that something hasn't happened up to this point.

not in the current circumstances

Highlights that current conditions prevent something from happening.

under the circumstances, no

Highlights that current conditions prevent something from happening, more elaborate.

at this moment, no

Emphasizes the immediate present and indicates that the answer to something is negative.

FAQs

How can I use "not at present" in a sentence?

You can use "not at present" to indicate that something is not happening or not true right now. For example, "Are you planning to move? No, "not at present"."

What's a less formal way to say "not at present"?

Alternatives to "not at present" include "not now", "not yet", or "not at this time", which are more suitable for casual conversation.

Is "not at present" the same as "not currently"?

While similar, "not at present" and "not currently" both indicate something is not happening now. "Not at present" often implies a slightly more formal or temporary situation.

Can "not at present" be used to describe future actions?

Yes, you can use "not at present" to say something will not happen in the immediate future. For example, "Will the company expand next year? "Not at present", due to budget constraints."