presently

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "presently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "at the present time" or "soon". Example: I am presently working on a project for my class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Detectives are presently following 400 lines of inquiry, while the BBC has launched an inquiry into the culture and practices at the corporation in the era of Savile's alleged sexual abuse.

The Guardian

In any country where de facto immunity presently exists and can be withdrawn, it should be lifted We must pursue legal and political redress for what has been done to us.

The Guardian - Tech

With 3.7 million Australians presently at risk, the time is now to be realistic that a broader context of alcoholism exists.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only households in the Midlands presently have access to these.

The Guardian - Money

That game seems like it happened in a different world, given the changes in results and on the field during the past 5-6 monthatthavehave propelled the team to where it presently stands.

The Guardian - Sport

Behind them, the peleton continue to cruise along, led presently by BMC, Garmin-Sharp and Saxo-Tinkoff.

The Guardian - Sport

As far as we presently know there's nothing 4S-specific about Siri (although possibly the voice recognition depends on the A5 chip).

The Guardian - Tech

Ministers found it difficult to accept that the actions of a sperm donor are comparable to the actions presently defined as those of fatherhood.

The Guardian

But not, it seems, in Britain, where loud questions about the legitimacy of an eventual Labour government are presently being asked on the basis that the party that comes second in an election should not be the one that gets to call the shots.

The Guardian

The SDLP, like Labour in the republic and New Labour in Britain, is presently affiliated to the Socialist International.

The Guardian

Have you ever thought about changing your vocation?" BS: "Presently, I think policing is still satisfactory, I am satisfied with my job".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "presently" to add a touch of formality to your writing when indicating something is happening now or will happen soon. It's particularly effective in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "presently" when you specifically mean "at present" in a formal announcement. While similar, "at present" is more direct and less likely to be misinterpreted as "soon".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "presently" primarily functions to indicate the current time or a time very near to the present. It modifies verbs, specifying when an action is taking place, as confirmed by Ludwig and evidenced by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "presently" is a versatile adverb that means either "at the present time" or "soon". Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. While interchangeable with "currently" in many cases, "presently" can sometimes imply a slightly more immediate future. Pay attention to context to avoid ambiguity and to ensure the chosen synonym accurately reflects your intended meaning. The tool identifies authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist as frequent users of "presently", highlighting its acceptance in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently

Highlights the existing situation or state.

soon

Points to an event happening in the near future.

shortly

Indicates something will occur very soon.

at the moment

Focuses on the current instant, emphasizing immediacy.

right now

Emphasizes the immediate present.

in the near future

Specifies a time frame closer to the present.

before long

Emphasizes the imminence of a future event.

in a while

Indicates an unspecified but relatively short period.

in due time

Suggests something will happen at an appropriate future point.

in the meantime

Refers to the interval between two events.

FAQs

How can I use "presently" in a sentence?

You can use "presently" to indicate something is happening now or will happen soon. For example: "I am "presently" working on the report", or "The issue will be resolved "presently"".

What words are similar in meaning to "presently"?

Similar words include "currently", "soon", "shortly", and "at the moment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "presently" or "currently"?

"Presently" and "currently" are often interchangeable, but "presently" can sometimes imply something will happen shortly, while "currently" focuses more on the present state. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.

Can "presently" refer to the past?

No, "presently" typically refers to the present or near future. To refer to the past, use words like "formerly", "previously", or "in the past".