both old and recent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both old and recent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to items, events, or concepts that span a range of time, indicating that they include both older and newer examples. Example: "The museum's collection features artifacts that represent both old and recent historical periods."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The linearization problem is of both old and recent interest.

Advances in Difference Equations

Hulu, a joint venture between NBC Universal and News Corp., streamed 80 million videos to online viewers in May, giving proof that ad-supported rebroadcasting of both old, and recent, content can work.

Forbes

Thus, FLU is applicable to analyze both old and recent influenza proteins.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For all three taxa, species composition differed between aggregates and regenerating forests in both older and recent sites, confirming the long-term effectiveness of aggregates for lifeboating.

Forest Ecology and Management

Recent traumatic experiences were associated with "any anxiety disorder" among women, while both older and recent trauma remained significantly associated with having an anxiety disorder for men.

BMC Psychiatry

For men, both older and recent trauma increased the risk of having an anxiety disorder, but for women, only the recent trauma exposure was significantly associated with having an anxiety disorder.

BMC Psychiatry

This facilitates the capture of homologous loci that are useful for both old and more recent divergences, a property shared with UCEs [ 22, 27].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

We're happy to receive these HD updates, remixes and remasters, when it means getting to play both old classics and recent hits alike on our shiny new consoles – keeps the space under our televisions that bit tidier.

Vice

We're happy to receive these HD updates, remixes, and remasters, when it means getting to play both old classics and recent hits alike on our shiny new consoles keeps the space under our televisions that bit tidier.

Vice

And "The Definitive Dave Brubeck on Fantasy, Concord Jazz, and Telarc" features both older and more recent material, concluding with a track recorded by his current working band.

The New York Times - Arts

His frame of reference as a singer-songwriter and pianist runs both older and more recent here, in a weekend engagement with his trio.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing developments or changes over time, use "both old and recent" to clearly indicate that you're considering the entire spectrum, from past instances to the present day. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Common error

While accurate, "both old and recent" can sometimes be redundant. Consider if "historical and contemporary" or another similar phrase might be more concise and impactful, especially when the context already implies a comparison across time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both old and recent" functions as a modifier, typically used to describe nouns or noun phrases. It specifies that the items being discussed encompass a range spanning from older to more contemporary examples. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both old and recent" serves to indicate a broad temporal range encompassing elements from the past and present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, though it appears with relative infrequency. It functions primarily as a modifier, aiming to provide a comprehensive scope when discussing a particular topic. While versatile, it's advisable to consider alternative phrasings like "historical and contemporary" for conciseness and impact. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, prominently within scientific and news publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spanning past and present

Focuses on the time period covered, highlighting the range from the past to the present.

encompassing earlier and later

Uses more formal language to indicate the inclusion of things that came before and things that came after.

integrating historical and current

Emphasizes the combination of elements from history and the present day.

covering both historical and contemporary

Similar to integrating historical and current, but uses adjectives instead of nouns.

from bygone eras to today

More evocative, suggesting a journey through time from the past to the present.

including both long-standing and up-to-date

Highlights the contrast between things that have existed for a long time and those that are newly created or discovered.

merging traditional and modern

Focuses on the fusion of established practices with contemporary innovations.

combining classical and contemporary

Similar to merging traditional and modern but focuses on the arts.

linking the established and the emergent

Emphasizes the connection between things that are well-established and those that are just beginning to appear.

bridging the olden days and present times

Uses a slightly archaic tone to emphasize the connection between the distant past and the present.

FAQs

How can I use "both old and recent" in a sentence?

Use "both old and recent" to indicate that you are referring to items, events, or information that spans a range of time, including both older and newer examples. For instance, "The study analyzed data from both old and recent surveys to identify trends".

What are some alternatives to "both old and recent"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "historical and contemporary", "past and present", or "long-standing and up-to-date".

Is it redundant to use "both old and recent"?

In some cases, yes. If the context already implies a comparison across time, using a more concise phrase or simply relying on the surrounding text might be more effective. Consider whether "historical data" or "current trends" is sufficient.

What's the difference between "both old and recent" and "traditional and modern"?

"Both old and recent" is a general phrase referring to items from the past and present. "Traditional and modern" implies a contrast between established practices or styles and more current or innovative ones. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.