Presently is an adverb that means "at this time" or "soon". The IPA phonetic transcription of presently is /ˈprɛz(ə)ntli/. The first syllable "prez" is pronounced with a short vowel sound of "e" followed by the consonant "z". The second syllable "ent" has a long vowel sound of "e", and the final syllable "li" is pronounced with a short vowel sound of "i". It is important to spell this word correctly to avoid confusion with the word "presentable".
The term "presently" is an adverb that denotes a timeframe associated with the present moment. It refers to an action or occurrence happening in the near future, often suggesting that something is imminent or about to happen soon. It implies an expectation or inevitability of an event, indicating that it will occur shortly or momentarily.
For instance, when used to describe an immediate action, one could say, "I am presently finishing my work," indicating that they are currently in the process of completing their assignment, and will be done shortly. Similarly, when describing an upcoming event, someone might say, "The meeting will begin presently," conveying that the meeting is expected to start in the very near future.
The term "presently" is often used interchangeably with other adverbs such as "soon," "shortly," or "in a moment." However, it carries a stronger connotation of immediacy than these alternatives. "Presently" can also be employed to describe an ongoing situation that is happening at the exact time of speaking. In this case, it highlights that the event is occurring in the present instant.
Overall, "presently" serves as a linguistic tool to express the proximity of an action or event to the current moment, conveying a sense of impending occurrence or immediacy.
Soon; without delay; before long.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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The word "presently" originated from the combination of two Middle English words: "present" and "ly".
The word "present" is derived from the Old French word "present", which meant "at hand, nearby" or "now existing". It comes from the Latin word "praesentem", meaning "being there" or "being at hand", derived from the verb "praeesse" which means "to be before".
The suffix "-ly" is an Old English adverbial suffix used to form adverbs from adjectives, indicating "in that manner" or "in that way".
Combining "present" and "-ly" gives us "presently", which originally meant "at this time" or "at the present moment". Over time, the meaning has evolved slightly, and "presently" can also mean "soon" or "shortly" in modern usage.