Current vs. Ongoing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
"Current" refers to what's happening at the present moment or is most recent, while "ongoing" describes something that has been happening for a while and is still continuing.
Difference Between Current and Ongoing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "current" emphasizes the present moment or a very recent timeframe. For example, today's weather or the latest news. "Ongoing," on the other hand, highlights a process or event that started in the past and is still in continuation, without necessarily indicating an end point.
A "current" event is one that is happening right now or has just occurred. It emphasizes immediacy. An "ongoing" event, meanwhile, has been taking place over a period and is still in progress, like a construction project that began months ago and is still not completed.
When referring to the latest version of a software, we use the term "current version." In contrast, if a software is consistently updated over time, we might describe its development as "ongoing."
A "current" affair pertains to recent happenings or those in the near past. It's a snapshot of a particular moment. "Ongoing" affairs could have started long ago but are yet to conclude, like a long-standing investigation.
While both terms deal with time, "current" is more immediate, focusing on now or the very recent past. "Ongoing" denotes a span of time that has persisted and is still persisting, extending from the past into the present.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pertaining to the present or very recent time.
Continuing in time or action.
Emphasis
Immediacy.
Duration and continuation.
Temporal Focus
Now or near past.
Extends from past into the present.
End Point
Often has a defined end point.
May not have a clearly defined end point.
Example Context
Latest news or version.
Projects or tasks that continue over time.
Compare with Definitions
Current
Pertaining to the present time.
The current temperature is 72 degrees.
Ongoing
Being conducted or performed.
The ongoing study aims to find a cure.
Current
In common or general use.
The current slang among teenagers is always evolving.
Ongoing
Still in progress.
Her education is an ongoing process.
Current
Prevailing at the moment.
The current trend in fashion is minimalist.
Ongoing
Persistent or enduring.
The ongoing challenges of the project were many.
Current
Belonging to the present time; happening or being used or done now
Keep abreast of current events
I started my current job in 2001
Ongoing
Continuing without termination or interruption.
The ongoing construction made traffic unbearable.
Current
A body of water or air moving in a definite direction, especially through a surrounding body of water or air in which there is less movement
Ocean currents
Ongoing
Currently happening.
The ongoing debate is quite heated.
Current
A flow of electricity which results from the ordered directional movement of electrically charged particles
This completes the circuit so that a current flows to the lamp
Magnetic fields are produced by currents flowing in the cables
Ongoing
Currently taking place
An ongoing festival.
Current
The general tendency or course of events or opinion
The student movement formed a distinct current of protest
Ongoing
In progress or evolving.
Current
Belonging to the present time; present-day
Current events.
Current leaders.
My current address.
Ongoing
Continuing, permanent, lasting.
Current
Being in progress now
Current negotiations.
Ongoing
Presently or currently happening; being in progress.
Current
Commonly accepted or used; prevalent
Current fashions.
Current technology.
Ongoing
Something that is going on; a happening.
Current
Passing from one to another; circulating, as money or a rumor
Current bills and coins.
Ongoing
(rare) ongo
Current
Running; flowing.
Ongoing
The act of going forward; progress; (pl.) affairs; business; current events.
The common ongoings of this our commonplace world, and everyday life.
Current
A steady, smooth onward flow or movement
A current of air from a fan.
A current of spoken words.
Ongoing
Occurring at present; progressing; in progress; continuing; not past, completed, or future; as, an ongoing petition drive; an ongoing effort.
Current
The part of a body of liquid or gas that has a continuous onward movement
Rowed out into the river's swift current.
Ongoing
Currently happening;
An ongoing economic crisis
Negotiations are in progress
Current
A general tendency, movement, or course.
Current
A flow of electric charge.
Current
The amount of electric charge flowing past a specified circuit point per unit time, usually expressed in amperes.
Current
The generally unidirectional movement of a gas or fluid.
Current
The part of a fluid that moves continuously in a certain direction, especially (oceanography) nocap=a.
Current
(electricity) the amount of electric charge flowing in each unit of time.
Current
A tendency or a course of events
Current
Existing or occurring at the moment.
Current events
Current leaders
Current negotiations
Current
Generally accepted, used, practiced, or prevalent at the moment.
Current affairs
Current bills and coins
Current fashions
Current
(India) Electric; of or relating to electricity.
Current bill
Current shock
Current
(obsolete) Running or moving rapidly.
Current
Running or moving rapidly.
Like the current fire, that rennethUpon a cord.
To chase a creature that was current thenIn these wild woods, the hart with golden horns.
Current
Now passing, as time; as, the current month.
Current
Passing from person to person, or from hand to hand; circulating through the community; generally received; common; as, a current coin; a current report; current history.
That there was current money in Abraham's time is past doubt.
Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current.
His current value, which is less or more as men have occasion for him.
Current
Commonly estimated or acknowledged.
Current
Fitted for general acceptance or circulation; authentic; passable.
O Buckingham, now do I play the touchTo try if thou be current gold indeed.
Current
A flowing or passing; onward motion. Hence: A body of fluid moving continuously in a certain direction; a stream; esp., the swiftest part of it; as, a current of water or of air; that which resembles a stream in motion; as, a current of electricity.
Two such silver currents, when they join,Do glorify the banks that bound them in.
The surface of the ocean is furrowed by currents, whose direction . . . the navigator should know.
Current
General course; ordinary procedure; progressive and connected movement; as, the current of time, of events, of opinion, etc.
Current
A flow of electricity through a conductor;
The current was measured in amperes
Current
A steady flow (usually from natural causes);
The raft floated downstream on the current
He felt a stream of air
Current
Dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas;
Two streams of development run through American history
Stream of consciousness
The flow of thought
The current of history
Current
Occurring in or belonging to the present time;
Current events
The current topic
Current negotiations
Current psychoanalytic theories
The ship's current position
Current
Most recent.
She read the current edition of the magazine.
Current
Flowing or moving.
The river's current was strong after the rain.
Common Curiosities
Can an event be both current and ongoing?
Yes, a current event can be something that's both happening now and has been ongoing for a while.
Which word would best describe a multi-year study that's still happening?
"Ongoing."
How does "ongoing" relate to duration?
"Ongoing" emphasizes duration, indicating that something has been continuing for some time.
If a project started a year ago and is still underway, is it current or ongoing?
It's "ongoing." It could also be "current" if specifically referring to its status right now.
What's a good synonym for "current trend"?
"Prevailing trend."
If something is "ongoing," does it mean it's never stopped?
Typically, "ongoing" means it hasn't stopped, but there could be exceptions based on context.
Which term emphasizes the present moment more?
"Current" emphasizes the present moment or recent past.
Can "current" refer to something other than time?
Yes, "current" can also refer to movement, like a river's flow.
Can "current" refer to popularity?
Yes, it can refer to what's popular or in general use now.
Does "ongoing" always mean something will continue indefinitely?
No, "ongoing" means it's continuing currently but doesn't necessarily imply forever.
Would today's weather be described as current or ongoing?
Today's weather would be described as "current."
Is the "current month" the same as this month?
Yes, "current month" typically refers to the present month.
Does "current" always mean the latest?
In many contexts, "current" does imply the latest or most recent.
Can a task be "current" but not "ongoing"?
Yes, if the task is relevant now but hasn't been continuing for a prolonged period.
Is an "ongoing effort" the same as a continuous effort?
Yes, both imply persistence and continuation over time.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
