while at present

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while at present" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the current time or situation in contrast to a previous or future time. Example: "While at present we are facing challenges, we remain optimistic about future opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Saybeck notes that while, at present, they can send the notices to infringers, they don't have an easy recourse for getting data on just who is downloading the material.

Vice

(Moreover, they would all need to be on newer drugs like tenofovir, while at present many are still getting the old, cheap ones with harsh side effects).

The New York Times - Health

Jane Sydenham, investment director at Rathbone Investment Management, said: "While at present the news is good for the markets, it is much more difficult to say how this will play out in the longer term.

The Guardian - Business

"While at present subscribers play an active role in spam prevention by reporting incidents to their operators, with IoT the challenge will be spotting the threats that can infect IoT devices," claims AdaptiveMobile.

The Guardian - Tech

Professor of Ocean Engineering Arthur B. Baggeroer ScD '68 pointed out that in 1994, there were 22 faculty, while at present there are only 14 with four in administration positions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While at present 18 people per 1,000 regularly attend church, over the next 30 years that is expected to almost halve with only 10 per 1,000 people attending church.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The threat of terrorist attacks, while heightened at present because of the war in Iraq, will not soon disappear.

The New York Times - Science

So while unlikely at present, the development of some form of mammoth creature or hybrid might be possible in the longer term, the research of which could lead to major biological discoveries and advances.

The Guardian

According to an advance copy of the plan, the charges to make a voice call while traveling, at present 35 euro cents a minute, would fall to 24 euro cents by July 1 , 2014

The New York Times - Tech

While refactoring at present constitutes a large effort, a better understanding of the regulatory and biochemical mechanisms behind the biosynthesis of key compounds will expedite future endeavors.

ACS Synthetic Biology

And while ModoPayments is, at present, a non-NFC mobile payments platform, they plan to integrate with NFC too, when NFC reaches retail maturity.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while at present", ensure a clear contrast is established. The phrase works best when highlighting a difference between the current situation and a past or future state, making the contrast explicit for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "while at present" when there is no intended contrast or shift in time frame. The phrase implies a comparison, so ensure that the surrounding context sets up this expectation; otherwise, consider using a simpler term like "currently" or "now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while at present" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast between the present situation and another point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase serves to highlight a temporal distinction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while at present" is a conjunctive phrase used to contrast the current situation with another time frame. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase in English writing. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's more formal than simply using "currently". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using "while at present", make sure a clear contrast is intended and that alternatives like "although currently" or "even though now" don't better suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although currently

Replaces "at present" with "currently" maintaining the sense of the current situation, while retaining "although" for contrast.

even though now

Substitutes "while" with "even though" to emphasize the contrast and uses "now" to signify the present time.

though for now

Replaces "while at present" with "though for now" maintaining a slightly more informal tone while indicating the current state.

notwithstanding the present

Uses a more formal and emphatic "notwithstanding" to introduce the contrast, focusing on the present circumstances.

despite the current situation

Emphasizes the existing circumstances with "current situation" while "despite" sets up the contrast.

in spite of what is happening now

Emphasizes what is happening and sets up a contradiction using the phrase "in spite of".

however, presently

Replaces "while at" with "however" and "present" with "presently", offering a concise alternative.

as it stands now

Replaces the phrase with a descriptive phrase focusing on the current standing of the thing in question

for the time being, however

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the current state and introduce a contrast with "however".

at this juncture, albeit

Introduces "at this juncture" as a formal way to describe current time, while "albeit" provides a contrasting element.

FAQs

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

Use "while at present" to contrast a current state with a past or expected future state. For example, "While at present the company is facing challenges, it anticipates significant growth in the coming year."

What are some alternatives to "while at present"?

Alternatives include "although currently", "even though now", or "though for now", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it redundant to use both "while" and "at present" together?

While "while" can imply a contrast already, using "at present" emphasizes the current timeframe being contrasted. The combination isn't necessarily redundant if the intent is to highlight the present situation specifically.

What is the difference between "while at present" and "currently"?

"Currently" simply indicates the present time, whereas "while at present" introduces a contrast or comparison. "Currently" is a straightforward statement of the existing situation; "while at present" sets up an expectation of change or difference.