current
current — adjective
1. belonging to or connected with the period of time that is happening now — for ex
belonging to or connected with the period of time that is happening now — for example, the current month, or news about current events around the world.
Otis reads about current events in the newspaper every morning.
collocation: current events
The current issue of the magazine has a long article about solar energy.
collocation: current issue
Our current plan is to finish the building work before the winter rains begin.
Could you tell me your current address so the package reaches the right place?
- present
more neutral and slightly broader; 'present' can refer to an ongoing state while 'current' emphasises what is happening right now
- contemporary
usually refers to a whole era or style rather than the immediate moment; e.g. contemporary art
- up-to-date
stresses having the latest information; e.g. up-to-date records
文法句型
current + noun
be + current
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns such as 'situation', 'price', 'rate', 'year', 'month', and 'affairs'. Unlike 'actual' (a common false friend for Romance-language learners), 'current' means 'present' — not 'real' or 'genuine'.
常見錯誤
current — noun
1. a stream of liquid, gas, or electrical energy that moves steadily in one directi
a stream of liquid, gas, or electrical energy that moves steadily in one direction — for instance, a river's current carrying branches downstream, or an ocean current steering ships off course.
The strong current pulled the young swimmer far away from the shore.
collocation: strong current
Electric current flows through copper wires to power the lights inside the house.
collocation: electric current
The warm ocean current keeps the coast free of ice even in winter.
A cold air current swept down from the mountains and brought heavy rain.
- stillness
absence of movement in water or air
文法句型
the + current
current + of + noun
adjective + current
用法筆記
When referring to electricity, 'current' is uncountable (some/electric current). In water and air contexts it is countable (a current / currents). Distinguish from 'flow' — 'current' implies a direction; 'flow' emphasises the movement itself.
常見錯誤
2. a general opinion, attitude, or mood that moves through many individuals at a pa
a general opinion, attitude, or mood that moves through many individuals at a particular period — such as a rising current of support for a new policy, or a current of concern among local families.
There is a strong current of concern among parents about school safety.
pattern: current of [feeling/opinion]
The current of public opinion has moved strongly toward renewable energy.
collocation: current of public opinion
A current of optimism ran through the crowd after the team scored the winning goal.
Political currents in the region shifted quickly after the election results came in.
- trend
more neutral and measurable; 'trend' suggests data or statistics, while 'current' feels more emotional or attitudinal
- undercurrent
a hidden or less obvious current of feeling, often negative
- drift
the general direction of change; slightly vaguer than 'current'
文法句型
current + of + noun
adjective + current
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'current of + abstract noun' (current of opinion, current of thought, current of discontent). Frequently pluralised as 'currents' when referring to multiple competing trends.