adv. （美）目前；不久

presently，at once，directly，immediately，instantly，right away。这组词(组)共同的意思是“立即”“马上”。它们的区别在于1.at once主要指动作迅速，但中间多有一段距离，且at once比immediately意味更强。例如I'm leaving for Rome at once.我马上去罗马。He gave orders for the work to be started at once.他下令立即开始那项工作。2.immediately侧重指时间“紧接着”。例如I came immediately after I'd eaten.吃过饭我立即就来了。Please close your books immediately and answer these questions.请立即合上书，回答这些问题。I left immediately when the clock struck twelve.钟刚打12点我就离去了。3.right away经常出现在美式英语中。例如I'll do it right away.我立即去办。He had written down a list of things to do right away.他已写下须立即做的事情。Don't expect them to approve of the design right away.不能期望他们马上批准这项设计。4.instantly也是指动作迅速，但它更强调的是同时发生，中间有很短的距离或无距离。例如The electrician went instantly in answer to the phone call.电工师傅一接到电话马上就去了。He was killed instantly in a car accident.在车祸中，他当场死亡。5.directly强调“直接地”，多与“迂回绕过”相对。例如Whether he sailed directly across the bay or coasted round it is uncertain他是径直驶过海湾，还是沿海岸迂回绕过的，现在还无法确知。6.presently强调过一会再去做某事。例如I will do the dishes presently，but I want to finish the story first.我过一会去洗碟子，不过我想得先看完这篇故事。immediately，instantly，presently，directly，shortly，soon，at once，right away。这些副词或副词词组均有“立刻、马上”的意思。immediately指做完一件事后，立即就做另一件事，中间一般没有明显的时间间隔。instantly指恰恰就在此刻，一秒钟也没耽误。presently指不久、即将。directly和immediately同义，指毫无迟疑。shortly和soon同义，指动作发生或完成的速度之快。soon常用词，指行动快，完成速度快。at once口语中常用，语气强烈，指时间紧迫，一刻也不能耽误。right away主要用于美国英语，语气稍弱于at once，强调动作迅速。

present adj.present现在的；出席的npresent现在；礼物；瞄准vi present举枪瞄准vt present提出；介绍；呈现；赠送