【问】 1. Presently，there are more than three thousand colleges and universities in the UnitedStates.

A. Allegedly B. Evidently C. Currently D. Actually(TOEFL，81.11)

2. Dinner will be ready_______but we have time for a drink before then.

A. currently B. lately C. presently D. suddenly(Nelson，350A)

在上面的两道试题里，presently具有不同的含义。请分析。

【答】 在英国英语中，presently大都与soon同义(Nelson试题集系英国出版)，而在美国英语中，presently常常具有“现在”、“目前”(now，at present)的含义。

1. I’ll be back presently. (Shaw)

我过一会儿就回来。

2. Presently Alice appeared. (Du Manrier)

不久阿丽斯就回来了。

3. He is presently living in New York. (ELD)

他目前住在纽约。

4. The doctor is presently writing a book. (LDCE)

医生目前在写书。