Today’s wordo came in via the old (e)mail bag and concerns a typical Type C Wordo. (If this is your first Wordo Alert, there’s a definition of a wordo at the end of this article.) If you think presume and assume or ensure and insure mean the same thing, you can get tripped up by a Type C.

Dear Prof. Wordo, I’m a writer for our local newspaper, and every time I use the word “presently” to mean “right now,” the editor deletes it and writes in “currently.” I think they mean pretty much the same thing, and it’s just a matter of style and creative choice. Please tell me I’m right. Thanks, Cliff.

Dear Cliff, You’re absolutely right – when you say you write for a local paper. After that, I have to say you’re wrong. While I don’t recall ever working for an editor who wasn’t always right anyway, in this case, I’ll have to agree with the boss.

Currently is an adverb that indicates, oddly enough, the present, belonging to the present, or being a part of the present time. It also means being in circulation or in progress at this moment as in The currency that is currently in use is difficult to counterfeit. “Currently” can also indicate a moment in time recognized as being between the immediate past and the present, although this definition is somewhat harder to apply. In fact, I can’t think of an example right now.

Presently is an adverb that indicates an event that will happen soon but is still in the future as in The current administration will lose the election, and, presently, a new group will be in power. The confusion probably comes from the fact that the roots of both words, the adjectives “present” and “current,” mean essentially the same thing when they’re used as adjectives. There’s no difference between “I’m the current occupant,” and “I’m the present occupant.” Unfortunately, when you add the –ly and use them as adverbs, there is an important difference that should be observed by careful writers – whether on local newspapers or national.

So, as I write this, I can say that currently, I’m working on a reply to your question, and presently, I’ll send it off to you.

wordo (wûrd•ō) n. Related to a typo but without a spelling or typographical error. Results from a choice of the wrong word from among similar or related words. Type A: a choice of the wrong form of related words, e.g., its vs. it’s and their vs. there; Type B: a wrong choice from among homophones, e.g., site vs. sight and principal vs. principle; Type C: a wrong choice between words with similar or overlapping meanings, e.g. strategy vs. tactics and aggravate vs. annoy.
[poss. British English ]