but of late

USAGE SUMMARY

'but of late' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has recently changed or begun, often after a period of stagnation. For example, "But of late, the company has seen huge success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But of late, things have been changing.

The New York Times - Travel

But of late it has been improving remarkably.

The Economist

But of late it has merited some French philosophizing.

The New York Times

But of late, the situation has become intolerable.

The New York Times

But of late the paper seems to have backed off.

The New York Times

But of late al Itihaad has taken its campaign underground.

The New York Times

But of late a curious calm has descended.

The New York Times

But of late debate has spilled over into the public realm.

The Economist

But of late, a great deal of mystery has surrounded the fate of the bakery.

The New York Times

Tech has leaned Democratic, but of late Republicans are finding more success in Silicon Valley.

The Washington Post

But, of late, he has been joined by an energetic new comer, Abner Mikva (Dem.).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but of late" to introduce a contrast with a previous state or situation, emphasizing the recent nature of the change. This phrase works best when highlighting a shift in trends, behaviors, or conditions.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "but of late" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Choose simpler alternatives like "recently" or "lately" for more natural-sounding informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but of late" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a recent change or development. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to show that something has changed or begun recently, often after a period of stability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but of late" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to introduce a recent change or development. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, often indicating a shift after a period of stability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives like "recently" or "lately" for informal settings. With a high expert rating of 4.5, "but of late" remains a reliable way to signal a contrast with a previous state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as of late

Almost identical in meaning, but slightly less common.

recently

Focuses on the recency of the change, without necessarily implying a contrast with the past.

lately

Similar to 'recently' but can also suggest a temporary situation.

things have changed recently

A more direct and explicit statement of a recent shift.

in recent times

More formal and emphasizes the period during which the change occurred.

of recent origin

Highlights the newness of something, often an event or situation.

in the last while

Informal and indicates a period of time closer to the present.

in recent weeks

More specific time frame, limiting the change to the past few weeks.

over the past few months

Specifies a longer timeframe for the change, spanning several months.

in the current climate

Focuses on changes happening due to the present circumstances or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "but of late" in a sentence?

Use "but of late" to introduce a change or development that has occurred recently, often contrasting with a previous state. For example, "The company struggled for years, but of late, profits have surged."

What phrases can I use instead of "but of late"?

You can use alternatives like "recently", "lately", or "as of late", depending on the context.

Is "but of late" formal or informal?

"But of late" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "recently" or "lately" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "but of late" and "recently"?

"But of late" often implies a contrast or change from a previous situation, whereas "recently" simply indicates that something happened not long ago. "But of late" adds a layer of unexpectedness or shift.