Lately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Lately" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a recent period of time or events that have occurred in the near past. Example: "Lately, I've been feeling more motivated to exercise and eat healthier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Lately, the notion of choice has even extended beyond bodily integrity to (gasp!) the decisions women make about their professional lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lately, the director has been surprised by how much he is "turning into my father.

The Guardian - Film

Lately, it's like Chigley, only with vastly more litter, pollution and personal trainers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lately, some free schools have suddenly lost their headteachers, and another example comes to light.

The Guardian

Lately, your correspondent has been hunting high and low for some of those early web pages.

The Economist

Lately, this weariness has turned to alarm.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Bernie has lately hit on the notion that F1 would be considerably enlivened if water were sprayed on the track at random moments during the race (I'm not sure, but does anyone else detect a Flashdance influence here?).

The Guardian - Sport

However, Burt has only lately, in his 80s, decided to assume his rightful place in the spotlight with some high-profile releases: this tour promotes a box set and an autobiography.

The Guardian - Music

THE immigration debate has seemed a bit loony lately, particularly since the usually tempered Lindsey Graham proposed revising the 14th amendment, which grants citizenship to those born in America.

The Economist

McClaren has retained the gifted young Derby squad that lost last May's play‑off final but lately they have endured the absence of the injured Chris Martin.

The Guardian - Sport

Sun 9pm, CenturyLink Field (ESPN) Dave Clark, Sounder at Heart, Seattle Seattlee's been in a bit of a funk lately.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Lately" to introduce a trend, change, or observation that has occurred in the recent past. This helps to create context and highlight the relevance of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "Lately" when you need to specify an exact time or date. "Lately" refers to a general period, not a precise moment. Instead of saying 'I saw him lately at 3 PM', specify the time: 'I saw him yesterday at 3 PM'.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Lately" functions as a temporal adverb, modifying verbs and clauses to indicate that an action or state has occurred in the recent past. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it helps frame events within a contemporary timeframe.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "Lately" is a versatile and commonly used term to denote events or trends that have occurred in the recent past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While its primary function is to provide temporal context, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various forms of communication, particularly in news and media as well as formal business settings. When writing, use "Lately" to introduce observations and changes. However, avoid using it when specifying exact times or dates. Consider using alternatives like "recently" or "of late" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recently

A direct synonym, indicating something that happened not long ago.

Of late

An older, slightly more formal way of saying "Lately".

In recent times

Emphasizes the period of time being recent.

In the past few weeks

Specifies a more precise timeframe.

In recent days

Specifies a shorter, more immediate timeframe.

Not long ago

A simpler, more general way of saying "Lately".

In the recent past

Highlights that the events occurred in the past.

Just now

Indicates something that has very recently happened.

In the last period

Similar to lately but slightly more formal and emphasizes a specific period of time.

As of late

A slightly more emphatic version of "Lately", indicating a noticeable change.

FAQs

How can I use "Lately" in a sentence?

"Lately" is typically used to indicate that something has occurred recently. For example: "Lately, I've been feeling more tired than usual."

What can I say instead of "Lately"?

You can use alternatives like "recently", "of late", or "in recent times" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Lately, I am going to"?

While grammatically acceptable, it's more common to use "Lately" with past or present perfect tenses. For future actions, consider using "Recently, I've been planning to" or a similar construction.

What's the difference between "Lately" and "Currently"?

"Lately" refers to a period in the recent past, while "Currently" refers to the present moment. For example, "Lately, I've been reading more books," versus "Currently, I am reading 'War and Peace'."