but recently

USAGE SUMMARY

"but recently" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
The phrase is used to indicate that something has changed and happened recently. For example: Jim was averse to trying new things, but recently he decided to take a cooking class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But recently things have changed.

Independent

But recently feet have turned cold.

The Economist

But recently, prices have begun to rise.

The New York Times

But recently, nothing has gone right.

The New York Times

But recently the Democrats did just that.

The New York Times

But recently Minnesotans have become more mercurial.

The Economist

But recently the discount has narrowed.

The Economist

But recently, another pattern has emerged.

The Economist

But recently, that has been changing.

The Economist

But recently, fear has settled in.

The New York Times

But recently SM had a panic attack.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but recently", ensure the contrast you're introducing is clear and directly related to the previous statement. This helps maintain clarity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but recently" to introduce information that isn't directly contradictory or related to the previous statement. The phrase indicates a shift or change, so the connection should be evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but recently" functions as a transitional phrase, indicating a shift or contrast in time. It serves to introduce information that has changed or occurred in the near past, often contrasting with a previous state or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but recently" serves as a transitional phrase indicating a shift or change in time. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct, very common, and mostly used in "News & Media" contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are introducing a genuine contrast or update to a previous statement to avoid misuse. Alternatives such as "however, lately" or "yet, in recent times" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Understanding these nuances helps ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, lately

Replaces "but" with "however" and "recently" with "lately", keeping the meaning of a change happening in the near past.

however, not long ago

Replaces "but" with "however" and uses "not long ago" to keep the meaning of a change happening in the near past.

yet, in recent times

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and uses "in recent times" to convey the idea of a change happening not long ago.

although, just now

Uses "although" instead of "but" and "just now" to indicate a very recent occurrence.

nonetheless, of late

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" and "recently" with "of late", providing a more formal alternative.

conversely, in the past few days

Uses "conversely" to introduce a contrast and specifies the time frame as "in the past few days".

even so, in recent weeks

Substitutes "but" with "even so" and broadens the time frame to "in recent weeks".

that being said, in the new era

Replaces "but" with "that being said" and uses "in the new era" to indicate a more significant shift.

even though, in the previous month

Uses "even though" instead of "but" and specifies the time frame as "in the previous month".

despite this, the other day

Substitutes "but" with "despite this" and indicates a very recent occurrence with "the other day".

FAQs

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

Use "but recently" to introduce a contrasting or changing situation following a previous statement. For example, 'The company was struggling, but recently, it has seen a surge in sales.'

What are some alternatives to saying "but recently"?

You can use alternatives like "however, lately", "yet, in recent times", or "although, just now" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "but recently" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but recently" to introduce a contrast or change. However, ensure it logically connects to the previous context.

What's the difference between "but recently" and "but lately"?

"But recently" and "but lately" are largely interchangeable. "Recently" may imply an even shorter timeframe than "lately", but the distinction is subtle and often depends on context.