Atp stands for at this point, meaning at this stage or by now. But in texts it's almost always emotional: the writer is tired of waiting or arguing and draws a line. Often it's close to already or anymore: atp I don't even care means I don't even care anymore, and atp just call her means just call her already. It's for chatting with friends only; in an email and in IELTS Speaking, say at this point or so far in full, and in an essay, at this stage.
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atp + clause (atp I'm just tired); atp just + verb; it's + noun + atp (it's a tradition atp)
- atp I'm not even mad, I just want my money back
- we've rescheduled three times, atp just pick a date and I'll be there
- he's late every single time, it's basically a tradition atp
What changed
First versionDear Dr Evans, atp I have collected about half of the survey data.
RevisionDear Dr Evans, so far I have collected about half of the survey data.
In an email to a supervisor, a chat abbreviation looks careless. Besides, atp in texts often sounds irritated, so the sentence could read as I'm fed up with this survey. Progress is described neutrally with so far. Only atp was replaced.
Atp is easy to confuse with asap: both are about time, but asap, as soon as possible, is a request about a deadline: send it asap. Atp doesn't hurry anyone; it sums up what has already happened: atp I've stopped waiting.
Your turn
The delivery was due on Monday and it's Friday now, so ___ I'm just asking for a refund.
Show the answer
atp — The delivery has been expected since Monday, and the person draws a line: I'm just asking for a refund now, which is atp. Asap means as soon as possible and asks for something to be done quickly; a native speaker wouldn't put it at the start of a conclusion like this.
Write to a friend about something that has taken far too long: say how long you've been waiting and use atp to say what you've decided to do.
I've been waiting for my landlord to fix the shower for three weeks, atp I'm just calling a plumber myself.
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