Presently or currently

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david11

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In formal writing, which one is more apt?

1)I am presently working in this company.

2)I am currently working in this company.
 

emsr2d2

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I don't find either one more formal than the other.
 

expat35

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Presently sounds a little more formal than currently to me but both are formal enough.

Be aware however, that there is understood to be a difference in meaning of this word between American and British English: in the latter it is often used to mean "soon" rather than "right now". With "currently" there is no such confusion.
 

BobK

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Note that 'presently' always* means 'currently in Am Eng, but it can mean 'in a little while/shortly' in Br English. Many native speakers of British English use them interchangeably, but some don't. It always meant 'shortly' when my grandfather was around.:) Some native speakers of Br Eng still hold that 'presently' means 'shortl'y and the way to say 'currently' is 'at present'.

b

PS * I must learn not to pontifocate about other peoples' languages - :oops: . I think this is true, at least in describing current usage. (In Br Eng too the 'I'll see to that presently' usage is rather dated.)
 
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