but until recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but until recently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation or condition has changed in the near past, contrasting it with the present. Example: "The technology was considered outdated, but until recently, it was still widely used in many industries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, until recently, judges had been spared.

The Economist

But, until recently, not to eat.

The New York Times - Travel

But until recently, negotiations have been sporadic.

The New York Times

But until recently they did love Democrats.

The Guardian

But until recently Congo fever was not one of them.

The Economist

But until recently, it was something to keep quiet about.

The New York Times

But until recently such questions have been hypothetical.

The Economist

But until recently they have used proprietary networks.

The Economist

"But until recently, Gujarat was never a tourist destination".

The New York Times

But until recently, the Post-it note was an exception.

The New York Times

But until recently, it lay almost unnoticed among Wellington's paintings.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but until recently" to clearly signal a change in circumstances that has occurred in the near past. This helps to create a contrast between a previous state and the current one.

Common error

Avoid using "but until recently" when referring to changes that occurred long ago. This phrase is most effective when describing shifts that have happened in the near past.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "but until recently" is to act as a conjunctive phrase. It connects two clauses, highlighting a contrast while specifying that the change occurred in the recent past. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where this phrase effectively introduces a shift in circumstances, adding temporal context to the contrast.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but until recently" is a grammatically sound and widely used conjunctive phrase that effectively indicates a shift in circumstances in the near past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the timeframe you are referring to is indeed recent, and consider alternatives like "until lately" or "previously" to fine-tune the meaning. Avoiding its misuse by referring to changes occurred a long time ago, is critical to ensure clarity. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can confidently incorporate "but until recently" to make the writing more effective and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however until lately

Replaces "recently" with "lately", slightly altering the nuance of the time frame.

yet until lately

Substitutes "but" with "yet", offering a slightly different conjunction while retaining the core meaning.

though until lately

Replaces "but" with "though", indicating a contrast or concession.

but not until lately

Adds "not" to emphasize the change happened lately.

but not until now

Replaces "recently" with "now", emphasizing the change up to the present moment.

until recently however

Inverts the sentence structure, placing "until recently" at the beginning, while using "however" as the conjunction.

up until recently though

Replaces "but" with "though" but uses "up until" to reinforce the time aspect.

previously however

Emphasizes that the previous state is over by using "previously"

formerly however

Highlights that the former situation has ceased by using "formerly"

in the past however

Implies a shift from the past, but with a more general temporal reference.

FAQs

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

Use "but until recently" to contrast a past situation with a more current one. For example, "The town was quiet, but until recently, it has become a bustling tourist destination."

What are some alternatives to "but until recently"?

You can use alternatives such as "up until now", "until lately", or "previously" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to use "but until recently"?

While "but" and "until recently" both indicate a change, they serve different purposes. "But" introduces a contrast, while "until recently" specifies the timeframe of that change. Using them together is not necessarily redundant but provides clarity.

What's the difference between "but until recently" and "but until now"?

"But until recently" implies the change occurred sometime in the near past, while "but until now" suggests the change is immediate and ongoing up to the present moment. Choose the phrase that best reflects the timing of the shift you're describing.