

6,854,086
I have always been an advocate of Aristotle's "Art of Brevity", however both are fine. Inserting "presently" may be to hint that he is leaving soon.
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Derrick Guevremont
Rochester, MN
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Ray Henson
Goodyear, AZ
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Karen Climer
Orlando, FL
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
5,645,181
Keep it short and sweet by skipping "presently"!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Ray Henson
Goodyear, AZ
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Karen Climer
Orlando, FL
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
1,126,373
I was taught by the best. SHORT sentences with the FEWEST words possible make a more powerful point than vomiting out War and Peace.
John Doe is in office. PERIOD.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Ray Henson
Goodyear, AZ
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Karen Climer
Orlando, FL
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
5,774,223
Fred,
I would say, he is in office! I like to keep it short and succinct. A
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Olga Simoncelli
New Fairfield, CT
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Phoenix, AZ
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
4,846,325
Hello Fred - Grammar has long been disappointed with my skills to communicate effectively.
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Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
2,655,156
"John is presently in his office, but will be leaving in 5 minutes for the lake" might make sense. But if John is going to be there all day, then it seems to me that "John is in his office" is sufficient.
But Marte Cliff will know for sure!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,662,684
I agree with Ron and Alexandra Seigel as a Toastmaster, we despise extra - unneeded words. Like when people say, "I just want to say..."
No! Just say it. No lead in needed. 😅
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Phoenix, AZ
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
3,717,316
Oh please, it reminds me of an old attorney friend of mine who liked to impress people with his language skills. And this was when he was just out of law school. We gave him enough 'grief' (humor) he stopped. Just get to the point. We love you and you're enough.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Karen Climer
Orlando, FL
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
1,881,248
Say it directly with less words.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,556,050
To me presently is a transitory statement that indicates a particular point in time and that another point may be different. If John made widgets from 8-5 and you called at 9, I'd say "John is in the office" as he's not likely to leave for another 8 hours. If you wanted to drive in to see him, you could take your time.
If John is a traveling salesman who is only in the office a few minutes a day, I'd use presently to indicate that he may not be there for long. If you drove in to see him, you may miss him. If you call his desk, he may or may not be there.
I am presently on Active Rain. As soon as I hit post and close this window, I will no longer be on Active Rain.
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Derrick Guevremont
Rochester, MN
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,299,790
English composition and rules were never my forte.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
2,901,213
When I was a kid in 1st grade or so, the teacher noticed when I wrote that I was combining writing with block lettering. She expressed it was unusual but left me on a positive note. Today, I have learned to pursue "meaning" behind words. Granted, in certain circles, Emily Post would frown away....
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
943,239
Say the most with the fewest amount of words.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
6,115,288
I would rather say --- who goes to an office now? LOL Marte Cliff would know exactly what to say.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Ray Henson
Goodyear, AZ
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
391,041
Marte Cliff will have your grammatically correct answer :))
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
1,514,605
I have nothing to add....presently.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
698,000
If I am writing instructions, I would keep it short. If I am writing a story, I may use the longer form depending on how I want to present the character. Either way would be fine for me.
My English teacher that was so creative with her red correction pen may disagree with me completely. I would hate for you to see what she routinely did to my papers. 🙃
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Joan Cox
Denver, CO
947,341
"Presently" is a bit formal. I think you would get a few eyebrow raises if you say it that way.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Joan Cox
Denver, CO
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Ray Henson
Goodyear, AZ
3,468,935
There is always more to the story. Some will ramble on and on and on and others say so little we don't know what the story is.
I prefer - just get to the point. Tell me what you want to tell me. Answer my question in a clear and concise manner with no need for 57 follow-up questions before I get my answer.
I know this may sound shocking Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate - some people are intentionally deceptive. Some people flat-out lie!
What question was asked that requires a response about John Doe being at his office?
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Ray Henson
Goodyear, AZ
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
3,338,565
John Doe is at the office. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
685,002
I like it when people get to the point. Just say it.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Joan Cox
Denver, CO
938,945
Why not go with "John Doe is presently occupying his office and is sitting at his desk", lol? I do believe "John Doe is in his office", conveys the idea in a more succinct way.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,403,319
I'm no grammar expert but if you're saying "John Doe is at his office" aren't you insinuating that it is presently... not past or future?
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,479,130
I would keep it short, sweet, direct. John Doe is at his office says what one needs to know. Presently is more of a British term. Most Americans would say currently. This is actually more of a stylistic question than a grammatical question.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Joan Cox
Denver, CO
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,625,707
I have said "She is presently at the office" - not sure how much longer she would be there.
Is does imply now (the present) but, I would think not to something that is mobile - like John Doe!
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
803,989
Communication is meant to be understood by those listening so grammar isn't important in a general conversation.
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
2,268,359
409,610
I think “presently” has a place if there’s context. If a person was calling his office, maybe asking about dropping something off for John Doe, an office assistant may say he is presently in the office along with “if you’d like to speak to him now,” or “if you are nearby.”