In the immediate past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In the immediate past" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that has just occurred, typically within a few moments or days prior to the present moment. Example: "In the immediate past, we have seen significant changes in the market trends that affect our business strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

In the immediate past, the instinct would have been to put on the brakes and reverse directions -- again.

The New York Times - Sports

Ordinarily, events in the immediate past are described in the past tense.

The New York Times - Magazine

UConn's winning streak seemed more impressive to Auriemma in the immediate past than it had been in the present.

The New York Times - Sports

In a sense, though, what happens in the immediate future may prove less important than what has already happened in the immediate past.

The Guardian - Opinion

This always occurs with international law – they outlaw what happened in the immediate past, not what's going to happen in the future". In his book, he concludes that there was more similarity between Hitler and Stalin than usually acknowledged: "Both chewed up the lives of human beings in the name of a transformative vision of Utopia.

Stanford University

"In the future, he will have loads of offers, as he has had in the past and in the immediate past," O'Neill said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In another action related to the Heisler Building, the council voted 4 to 1 to ask the Arts Commission and the Heritage Committee to comment on a proposal to exempt historic structures from Art in Public Places requirements if the immediate past use is continued, Rollinger opposed.

Los Angeles Times

Households with at least one person 65 and over are tempting targets for fraudsters because their median net worth exceeds $240,000---the 240,000---the 240,000---the 240,000---themostate past president of the NanyonageAssociation of Attorneys groupal Derek Schmint told the Americanmmithee at the hearimmediate

Forbes

A measure of consumer confidence hit a three-month high on Friday, but that, too, was impressive only in comparison with the immediate past.

The New York Times

Melba Pearson is a prosecutor in South Florida and the immediate past president of the National Black Prosecutors AssociationNational Black Prosecutors Association

Vice

Melba Pearson is a prosecutor in South Florida and the Immediate Past President of the National Black Prosecutors AssociationNational Black Prosecutors Association

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "In the immediate past" when you want to emphasize that something has just happened and is directly relevant to the current situation. It adds a sense of recency and immediacy.

Common error

Avoid using "In the immediate past" when referring to events that happened a long time ago. This phrase is meant for things that have occurred very recently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In the immediate past" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to specify the time frame of an action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "In the immediate past" serves to denote events or actions that have occurred very recently. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability across a variety of contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Scientific sources. While grammatically sound, simpler alternatives like "recently" may be preferred in informal settings. To ensure clarity, avoid using this phrase when referring to the distant past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the recent past

More formal and emphasizes a slightly longer timeframe.

Recently

Single word alternative; less formal.

Just now

Indicates something that has happened a very short time ago.

Lately

Informal alternative that suggests a trend or pattern.

In recent times

More emphasis on a period as opposed to a specific event

Not long ago

Informal; stresses the shortness of the time since the event.

In the preceding period

More formal; suitable for academic or business contexts.

Of late

Archaic alternative for "lately"

In days gone by

Highlights that a certain thing already finished.

In earlier times

Refers to a period that is less recent, which can change the meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "In the immediate past" in a sentence?

You can use "In the immediate past" to refer to something that has just occurred or a period that ended very recently. For example, "In the immediate past, the company experienced significant growth".

What are some alternatives to "In the immediate past"?

Alternatives include "recently", "just now", or "in the recent past". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality required.

Is "In the immediate past" formal or informal?

"In the immediate past" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Simpler alternatives like "lately" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

How does "In the immediate past" differ from "In the distant past"?

"In the immediate past" refers to events that have just occurred, while "In the distant past" refers to events that happened a long time ago. They are opposites in terms of timeframe.