Recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "recently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has happened near to the present time. For example: "I recently moved to a new apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Guardian, which was first published in 1821, is most recently renowned for its agenda-setting NSA and GCHQ revelations following disclosures by whistleblower Edward Snowden, its globally acclaimed investigation into phone hacking and the launch of its groundbreaking digital-first strategy in 2011 and its trailblazing partnership with WikiLeaks in 2010.

The Guardian

Apple's chief designer Jonathan Ive recently criticised Xiaomi's alleged copying of its iPhone, saying: "It is theft and it is lazy.

The Guardian - Tech

We'd love to hear your responses to these stories and any others you've read recently, both at Guardian Cities and elsewhere: share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Guardian

The former defender, who played for Tottenham and Arsenal in the capital, has been courted by the party and recently had lunch with the party chairman, Grant Shapps, amid suggestions he could run for mayor.

The Guardian - Sport

The company recently announced it is to produce a version of The Voice for Middle Eastern broadcaster MBC and 60 further episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond for the Russian market.

The Guardian

Despite the UK's improved performance recently, selling scripted formats to US broadcasters remains a high risk gamble.

The Guardian

Selfridges recently announced that it was getting rid of gendered floors and would just have three floors of fashion merchandised together so that customers could shop according to an expression of "self".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Amy Pascal, recently ousted as Sony's co-chairwoman, told a conference it was up to women, not studios, to demand their worth.

The Guardian - Film

The Susa group (made famous in the film Gorillas in the Mist) recently split, which means the creation of a new, independent gorilla family group in the Mt Karisimbi area looks likely.

The Guardian - Travel

He has since been identified as a 22-year-old called Daniele - investigators have not released his surname - who, until recently, worked in a nearby factory.

The Guardian

Duke said he had been adopted at birth, and he recently returned to Moscow after living for a few years in the Midwest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "recently" with specific verbs in the past tense to create clear and concise sentences, avoiding ambiguity about when something happened.

Common error

Avoid using "recently" when referring to events that occurred more than a few months ago; it's best suited for actions within weeks or a couple of months.

Linguistic Context

Recently functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate that an action or event occurred in the near past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Lifestyle

2%

Tech

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recently" is a common and versatile adverb used to indicate that an action or event occurred in the near past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, Lifestyle and Tech content, it offers a simple and effective way to provide temporal context without specific dates. When using "recently", ensure that the timeframe is indeed recent (weeks or months, not years) and consider alternatives like "lately" or "of late" for slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lately

Similar to "recently", but with a slightly more informal tone.

Not long ago

A more emphatic way of saying "recently", stressing the short time elapsed.

Of late

A more literary or formal alternative to "recently".

In the near past

Focuses on the proximity to the present moment.

As of late

Emphasizes the continuation of a trend up to the present.

In recent times

More descriptive, emphasizing a period closer to the present.

In recent weeks

More precise about the duration compared to "recently".

In the past few days

Specifies a shorter timeframe than "recently".

A short while ago

Informal and indicates a relatively brief duration.

Just now

Indicates an event that happened in the immediate past.

FAQs

How can I use "recently" in a sentence?

Use "recently" to describe events that happened not long ago. For example, "I "recently moved" to a new city" or "She "recently started" a new job".

What are some alternatives to the word "recently"?

Some alternatives include "lately", "of late", "not long ago", or "in recent times". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "recently" with the present perfect tense?

Yes, "recently" is often used with the present perfect tense to describe an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. Example: "I have "recently visited" Paris."

What is the difference between "recently" and "shortly"?

"Recently" refers to something that happened in the near past, while "shortly" implies something that will happen in the near future or happened just before something else.