better recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better recently" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing improvements or changes that have occurred in a recent timeframe, but it lacks clarity. Example: "I feel that my performance has been better recently, especially in team projects."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The stocks have done a bit better recently.

The New York Times

Yes, European growth numbers have looked a bit better recently.

The Economist

The Interpublic media agencies have been faring better recently than they had earlier in the decade.

The New York Times

"Oswalt has looked better recently, but he hasn't been close to his dominant self," Hunsicker said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Dharma" has fared much better recently, however, though it still loses to "Frasier".

The New York Times - Arts

Things have been better recently, but we're still not winning games quite as we used to.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

It's one of the better cameras available on a smartphone, with good detail and colour balance, but it has been bettered recently by cameras from Samsung, Sony and Google.

The Guardian - Tech

But Nova has clearly been the better pitcher recently.

The New York Times - Sports

That is also expected to be upgraded slightly, following better news recently from the US.

Independent

Lord Foster has shown us better work recently in Midtown Manhattan, where his faceted Hearst Tower plunges through the top of an existing 1920's building with impressive force.

The New York Times - Arts

I've seen better movies recently, but it's been a long time since I've left one feeling the easy, full-bellied happiness this one evoked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "better recently", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and what specific improvement has occurred. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "better recently" without specifying what exactly has improved. Instead of saying 'Things are better recently', clarify with 'Sales figures have improved recently due to the new marketing strategy'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better recently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the timing and nature of an improvement. It typically modifies a verb or adjective, specifying that something is in a more favorable state than before in the recent past. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better recently" is a moderately common adverbial phrase used to indicate improvements or positive changes in the near past. While generally acceptable, Ludwig AI points out that its effectiveness relies heavily on context and clarity. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and business contexts. For more formal or precise writing, alternatives like "improved lately" or "shown improvement recently" may provide greater clarity. When using this phrase, ensure that the specific area of improvement is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved lately

Focuses on improvement within a recent timeframe.

shown improvement recently

Explicitly states that there has been improvement in the recent past.

progressed recently

Emphasizes forward movement or advancement in the near past.

advanced lately

Highlights recent development or progress.

improved in recent times

A more formal way to indicate improvements in the near past.

gained ground recently

Indicates recent positive progress, often in a competitive context.

made strides recently

Emphasizes significant progress or advancements in the recent past.

picked up lately

Suggests a recent increase or improvement in performance or condition.

developed positively recently

Highlights positive development over a recent period.

turned a corner recently

Suggests a shift from negative to positive circumstances recently.

FAQs

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

Use "better recently" to indicate that something has improved in the near past. For example, "The company's performance has been "better recently" due to new strategies".

What's a good alternative to "better recently"?

Alternatives include "improved lately", "progressed recently", or "shown improvement recently", depending on the specific context.

Is "better recently" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "better recently" can sound awkward to some. It is generally considered acceptable. Rephrasing for clarity might be preferable.

How does "better recently" compare to "improved recently"?

"Better recently" and "improved recently" are similar, but "improved" explicitly refers to a change for the better, whereas "better" implies a comparison. Using "improved recently" is often clearer.