Distinguishing Present from Current

Present and current are two words that are often misunderstood due to incorrect interpretations of their meanings and usage. While both words are used in different contexts, it is essential to understand their distinct meanings.

Key Takeaways

• The word ‘present’ is typically used to mean ‘at the moment.’
• The word ‘current’ is generally used to signify ‘recent.’
• Both ‘present’ and ‘current’ are primarily used as adjectives, with their adverbial forms being ‘presently’ and ‘currently,’ respectively.

In some cases, ‘present’ can also be used to mean ‘at hand,’ as seen in the sentence, “Angela was present in the classroom then.” Here, ‘present’ signifies that Angela was at hand in the classroom at that time.

On the other hand, ‘current’ is primarily used as an adjective, with its adverbial form being ‘currently.’ Similarly, ‘present’ also functions as an adjective, with its adverbial form being ‘presently,’ as seen in the sentence, “Presently, there is no necessity for the post of a clerk.”

Understanding the subtle differences between ‘present’ and ‘current’ is crucial to using them correctly in various contexts.