fairly recent

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly recent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has happened in relatively recent times, but not in the immediate past. For example: "The introduction of new technology into the workplace has been a fairly recent development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few, fairly recent casualties:.

The New Yorker

That usage is fairly recent.

The New Yorker

This phenomenon is fairly recent.

The New York Times - Arts

Prestige cuvées are a fairly recent invention.

The New York Times - Food

This is a fairly recent notion.

The New Yorker

This challenge is a fairly recent one.

The New York Times

ODR is still a fairly recent industry.

Harvard University

Childhood is a fairly recent economic innovation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet this provision is of fairly recent origin.

Columbia University

Britain's fairly recent stringent gun-laws changed nothing.

Harvard University

Palliative care is a fairly recent development in The Netherlands.

Patient Education and Counseling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly recent" when you want to indicate that something is not brand new, but also not very old. It strikes a balance between 'recent' and 'somewhat recent'.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly recent" excessively in formal academic papers or reports where more precise temporal references would be more appropriate. Consider specifying the exact timeframe or using alternatives like "in the last decade" or "since 2015" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly recent" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies has come into being or existence in a time frame that is neither very old nor brand new. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly recent" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe events or developments that occurred in the not-so-distant past. According to Ludwig AI, the term is correct and usable in written English. While its register is generally neutral, more precise language might be preferable in formal academic or scientific writing. The term appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. When you are looking for similar expressions, consider phrases like "relatively new" or "moderately recent" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively new

Emphasizes the newness of something in comparison to something else.

moderately recent

Highlights the moderate degree of recency.

somewhat recent

Suggests a slight degree of recency, implying it's not very old.

not long ago

Focuses on the short time that has passed.

in recent times

Places the event within a general period of recency.

of late

More formal and literary way to indicate recency.

newish

Informal term suggesting something is relatively new.

fresh

Implies something is new and current.

newly established

Highlights the recent establishment or creation of something.

just developed

Emphasizes the recent development or evolution of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly recent" to describe events, discoveries, or trends that occurred in the not-so-distant past. For example, "The discovery of exoplanets is a "fairly recent" development in astronomy".

What are some alternatives to "fairly recent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "relatively new", "moderately recent", or "somewhat recent". Choose the one that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fairly recent" in academic writing?

While "fairly recent" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise language in formal academic writing. Instead of saying "fairly recent", specify the exact time frame when possible. For instance, you could say "in the last five years" or "since the early 2000s".

What's the difference between "fairly recent" and "very recent"?

"Fairly recent" indicates something happened in the moderate past, while "very recent" implies something occurred in the immediate past. Using "very recent" suggests that the event or development is fresh in people's minds.