The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #124681   Message #3567172
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
15-Oct-13 - 03:31 PM
Thread Name: BS: American English usages taking over Brit
Subject: RE: BS: American English usages taking over Brit
Words like momentarily, and presently and other -ly words seem to be added in speech when the speaker is impatient, or doesn't want to give a full answer. Its purpose is to stop the in(en)quirer from pursuing the question.
They should be used properly (if at all; they are often weasel words)) in written communication.