comparatively recent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparatively recent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is more recent in comparison to other events or developments. Example: "The technology we are using is comparatively recent, having been developed only in the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rwandan facilities fared better with implementation progress compared to facilities in Uganda and Mali, despite the comparatively recent initiation of services.

BMC Health Services Research

Dendrophilism ( love of trees) is of comparatively recent origin as a study in psychopathia sexualis, owing to the comparative recent discovery of trees.

The New Yorker

By Robert Benchley The New Yorker, February 18 , 1933P. 17 Dendrophilism ( love of trees) is of comparatively recent origin as a study in psychopathia sexualis, owing to the comparative recent discovery of trees.

The New Yorker

* * * The Vatican bank is a comparatively recent institution.

The Guardian

Those are comparatively recent arrivals from the north.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's important to remember that the story as we know it is a comparatively recent phenomenon.

The Guardian - Books

We learn that the acreage of flesh on view in Rio is a comparatively recent development.

The Guardian - Books

The college song as known today is a comparatively recent phenomenon.

The New Yorker

The competition between Jews and Muslims for primacy on the Mount is a comparatively recent phenomenon.

The New Yorker

Bardolatry seems infinitely old, but it is of comparatively recent vintage.

The Washington Post

A further, and comparatively recent, development has been the drive-in theatre.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comparatively recent" when emphasizing that the recency of an event or development is significant in relation to other, older events or developments.

Common error

Avoid using "comparatively recent" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "new" or "recent" unless a direct comparison is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparatively recent" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective, specifying the relative recency of a noun. Examples found by Ludwig show its use in academic papers and news articles, aligning with a descriptive and comparative function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comparatively recent" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate that something is relatively new, especially when contrasted with something older. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. The Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, emphasizing its comparative nature. While common, it's best to avoid overusing it in casual conversation, opting for simpler alternatives like "new" or "recent" when appropriate. Related phrases include "relatively recent" and "fairly recent", offering subtle variations in tone and emphasis. The phrase finds its usage across numerous authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively recent

Indicates a slight change in wording while maintaining the core meaning of something not very old.

fairly recent

Suggests a slightly more casual tone while still referring to something not long past.

quite recent

Emphasizes the recency of something, adding a bit more intensity.

newish

An informal term for something that is somewhat new.

newly established

Focuses on the establishment or creation of something that hasn't been around for long.

of recent origin

Highlights the origin or beginning of something in the near past.

not long ago

A simple and direct way to express that something happened in the recent past.

in recent times

Refers to a period that is not far in the past, placing emphasis on the era.

lately

Indicates something that has occurred or started happening recently.

in the past few years

Specifies a timeframe, making it clear that something has happened in recent years.

FAQs

How can I use "comparatively recent" in a sentence?

You can use "comparatively recent" to describe events or developments that are more recent when compared to something else. For instance, "The use of AI in healthcare is a "comparatively recent" phenomenon compared to traditional medicine".

What are some alternatives to "comparatively recent"?

Alternatives include "relatively recent", "fairly recent", or simply "recent". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "comparatively recent" formal or informal?

"Comparatively recent" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "new" or "recent". It is suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What's the difference between "comparatively recent" and "recent"?

"Recent" simply indicates that something happened not long ago. "Comparatively recent" implies a comparison, suggesting that something is more recent relative to something else. For example, "The invention of the internet is recent", while "The widespread adoption of smartphones is a "comparatively recent" development in comparison to the internet's creation".