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Presently * meaning "in a very short time, soon", is a widely accepted term, but why does its usage meaning "at the present time, currently" still remain an open area for dispute?

Disputed usage: I am presently reading an financial paper.

Undisputed usage: I will be finished with my meeting presently.



Usage note: both senses 1)"in a very short time" and 2)" at the present time" are flourishing in current English, but many commentators have objected to sense 2. Since this sense has been in continuous use since the 15th century, it is not clear why it is objectionable. Perhaps a note in the Oxford English Dictionary (1909) that the sense has been obsolete since the 17th century in literary English is to blame, but the note goes on to observe that the sense is in regular use in most English dialects. The last citation in that dictionary is from a 1901 Leeds newspaper, written in Standard English. Sense 2 is most common in contexts relating to business and politics Source: Merriam Web. Dictionary

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Related: When and how did “momentarily” come to mean “in a moment”, rather than “for a moment”?. As this NGram shows, the presently=currently usage has become much more popular in recent decades (significantly more so in AmE than BrE). –  FumbleFingers Apr 8 at 12:35
So the"prejudice" against its use, as highlighted in the Usage notes reported, is overstated in your opinion? –  Josh61 Apr 8 at 12:40
I'm not sure whether your "prejudice" reflects actual usage or pedantic opinion. It seems to me both usages are rather dated - we now use currently and shortly/soon –  FumbleFingers Apr 8 at 13:00
The 'lingering prejudice" is taken from the usage note from The American Dic, anyway your note that "presently" is a bit out-of-date is interesting. –  Josh61 Apr 8 at 13:13
I'd imagine my position is typical. I've no particular "preference" for either usage. I'm perfectly familiar with both - and as you say, the intended sense is invariably obvious in context. But I doubt I've actually used the word myself (with either meaning) for decades. I consider it stuffy and stilted, as well as dated. –  FumbleFingers Apr 8 at 13:43

1 Answer 1

up vote 1 down vote accepted

I think your disputed and undisputed examples are the wrong way round.

The original meaning of presently is in the present, the action is taking place now. There is no dispute in that.

It has come to mean soon in modern usage. This is accepted by most people but there are purists who object to its use with this meaning.

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Pls support you answer with documented evidence, I could not find any that objects to the use of presently meaning "soon". –  Josh61 Apr 8 at 13:04
@Josh61 there's me, for a start. –  chiastic-security Oct 22 at 23:41

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