during recent weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during recent weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to events or situations that have occurred in the weeks leading up to the present time. Example: "During recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

New regulations on messaging appear to have been phased in during recent weeks.

The New York Times

While some have lost money during recent weeks, many are confident the markets will bounce back.

The Guardian - Business

More significant, perhaps, has been an unexpected surge of interest among the local community during recent weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

Amid widespread anti-American sentiment, the deployment has sparked protests in Turkey during recent weeks by leftist groups but also by Islamists and nationalists.

Independent

Dickens World had been closed, during recent weeks, for its annual maintenance session, and yet things still weren't quite running smoothly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mohamed's British lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, said his client had been beaten "dozens" of times inside the notorious US camp in Cuba with the most recent abuse occurring during recent weeks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Fridays have become a central forum during the recent weeks of tumult around the Middle East.

The New York Times

Speaks of the lack of leadership because of personal & political rivalries; about the increase of factionalism & bureaucratic confusion during the recent weeks of crisis.

The New Yorker

Webber's home, and 100 others nearby, are now protected by a radical landscape experiment that passed its first severe test during the recent weeks of extreme weather.

The Guardian

Moreover, Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire former prime minister who has inched ahead in polls during the recent weeks of chaos, will regain his influence on Italian politics through his centre-right party's role in government.

The Guardian

After the failed peace talks at Camp David last July and during the recent weeks of violence, Mrs. Rabin asserted that Mr. Barak had not done enough to avert conflict and reach peace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. While acceptable in formal writing, "during recent weeks" might sound overly formal in casual conversation; alternatives like "lately" could be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "during recent weeks" when referring to events that occurred several months ago. "Recent" implies a short period leading up to the present. For longer periods, consider "in the past few months" or "over the last year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during recent weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier. It specifies the timeframe in which an event or situation occurred. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and common in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during recent weeks" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, primarily to provide temporal context in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the timeframe you are referring to and whether it accurately reflects a short period leading up to the present. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts, it may be less appropriate for informal settings, where alternatives such as "lately" might be preferred. Avoiding its misuse in reference to extended periods, as highlighted in the writing guidance, will further enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over recent weeks

Swaps "during" for "over", keeping the core meaning intact.

in the past few weeks

Replaces "during" with "in" and uses "past few" to emphasize a short, unspecified period.

over the last few weeks

Similar to "in the past few weeks" but with a slightly more formal tone.

in the last several weeks

Uses "several" for a slightly less definite quantity than "few".

these past weeks

Emphasizes the continuity from the past to the present.

in the weeks just past

A more descriptive and slightly less common way of saying "during recent weeks".

in recent days

Refers to a shorter period than "during recent weeks".

in recent times

Broader timeframe; not limited to just weeks.

lately

More informal and less precise than "during recent weeks".

of late

A more archaic and formal alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "during recent weeks" in a sentence?

Use "during recent weeks" to indicate that something has occurred in the period leading up to the present. For instance, "During recent weeks, the company has seen a surge in online orders".

What's a more informal way to say "during recent weeks"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative to "during recent weeks", consider using phrases like "lately" or "in the past few weeks".

Is it correct to say "over recent weeks" instead of "during recent weeks"?

Yes, "over recent weeks" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "during recent weeks". Both phrases have essentially the same meaning.

When should I avoid using "during recent weeks"?

Avoid using "during recent weeks" if you are referring to a period that extends beyond a few weeks. For longer periods, use phrases like "during recent months" or "in recent years".