Until recently

USAGE SUMMARY

"until recently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has just recently changed or to something that has recently come to light. For example: "Until recently, I had always believed that the river was only three miles long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

UNTIL recently, they were rivals.

The Economist

UNTIL recently, Serbia was an authoritarian state.

The Economist

Until recently.

Forbes

Until recently, that is.

The New York Times

Until recently, anyway.

The Economist

Until recently, at least.

The Economist

Until recently this has worked.

The Economist

Until recently, neither had I.

The New York Times

Until recently, that meant China.

The Economist

"Until recently, this wasn't feasible".

The New York Times - Science

Until recently, trends emerged organically.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until recently" to highlight a change or contrast between a past state and the current situation. It's effective when emphasizing that something has newly come into effect or has just ceased to be.

Common error

Avoid using "until recently" when referring to changes that happened many years ago. It implies a change within the last few years, not decades.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until recently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a time frame that extends up to the near past. It provides temporal context, signaling that a situation or condition has changed or ceased to be in effect not long ago. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until recently" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a change in circumstances in the near past. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is suitable for use in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, academia, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves a relatively recent change, not one that occurred distantly in the past. Consider alternatives like "not long ago" or "formerly" to fine-tune the meaning as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Until very lately

Similar to the original phrase, with a slight emphasis on immediacy.

Not long ago

Focuses on the short duration of time since the change, rather than the period before it.

Not so long since

Stresses that the previous condition has changed in a not so distant past.

In the past few years

Specifies a longer but still relatively recent timeframe.

In recent times

Highlights the recency of the shift, suitable for broader contexts.

Formerly

Implies a state that existed before a change, without specifying the exact timing.

Previously

Similar to 'formerly', highlighting a past condition.

Up until now

Emphasizes the continuation of a state until the present moment.

Just a while ago

Emphasizes the closeness of the past to the present, often in informal settings.

Of late

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "recently".

FAQs

How can I use "until recently" in a sentence?

Use "until recently" to indicate that a situation has changed in the near past. For example: "Until recently, I believed the Earth was flat."

What are some alternatives to saying "until recently"?

You can use alternatives such as "not long ago", "formerly", or "previously" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "until recently" in formal writing?

Yes, "until recently" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly and concisely conveys a relatively recent change. However, more formal alternatives like "formerly" might be preferred in some contexts.

What's the difference between "until recently" and "in the past"?

"Until recently" implies a change that occurred very close to the present, while "in the past" is more general and can refer to any time before now. The phrase "in the past" doesn't necessarily indicate a recent change.