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Meaning
‘At the moment’ is an adverbial phrase meaning ‘right now’, ‘currently’, or ‘at this specific time’. It emphasizes the present moment as the time of occurrence or state.
Pronunciation & Stress
IPA: /æt ðə məʊmənt/
Stress falls on the first syllable of “moment”.
Morphology
This is a prepositional phrase functioning adverbially.
- At: Preposition (indicates relation to time)
- The: Definite article (specifies which moment)
- Moment: Noun (the specific time unit being referenced)
Grammar Notes
- Functions as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to indicate temporal context.
- Can often be interchanged with “currently”, “now”, or “presently”, though “presently” is less common in American English and sometimes means “soon”.
- Commonly used in informal spoken English and less common in highly formal writing.
Interesting Facts
- Its use as “at this moment” dates back to the early 16th century.
- The phrase “ATM” as an abbreviation gained popularity in digital age texting and social media.
- Similar phrases exist in other languages (e.g., French ‘en ce moment’, Spanish ‘en este momento’).
Learning Tips
- Associate it strongly with the phrase “right now”.
- Practice using it in quick-response situations: “What are you doing at the moment?”
- Notice it often appears in answers about current activities or temporary states.
Examples
- Simple: “I’m at the moment.” (I’m busy/currently occupied)
- Medium: “We’re considering moving to Canada at the moment.”
- Complex: “Although she typically prefers the countryside, she’s staying in the city at the moment because of her sister’s unexpected visit.”
Synonyms, Antonyms & Collocations
Synonyms: Currently, now, presently, in the present, as of now, for the time being.
Antonyms: Previously, earlier, beforehand, formerly, previously.
Common Collocations:
- Be at the moment: “I am busy at the moment.”
- Right now, which is at the moment: “Open your books now, which is at the moment…”
- For the time being: Related temporal phrase.
Mini-Tasks for Practice
- Make a Sentence: Describe what you are doing at the moment.
- Find a Synonym: Replace “at the moment” with a synonym in this sentence: “I can’t answer your call at the moment.”
- Translate: What does ‘en este momento’ mean in English?
- Opposite Meaning: What phrase describes the opposite temporal meaning? (Think of “yesterday” or “previously”)
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