in recent

USAGE SUMMARY

"in recent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an adverb that can refer to a period of time close to the present, or something that has happened recently. For example: "In recent years, technology has advanced quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

fundamentalists in recent years.

The New Yorker

In recent years "St.

The New York Times - Arts

In recent years, the….

The New Yorker

Johns' clients in recent years.

The New York Times

have soared in recent years.

The New Yorker

But Billabong has struggled in recent years.

The New York Times

This has been changing in recent years.

The Economist

Acrimony has escalated in recent weeks.

The New York Times - Arts

But, in recent years, complications have arisen.

The New Yorker

But in recent years, positions have softened.

The New York Times

In recent years, infections have risen dramatically.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in recent", ensure the timeframe you're referring to is clear to your audience. For example, specify "in recent years", "in recent months", or "in recent weeks" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "in recent" when referring to events that occurred long ago. This can confuse readers and create ambiguity in your writing. Always clarify the temporal scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in recent" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb phrase to indicate a timeframe close to the present. As seen in Ludwig examples, it often introduces a period over which a trend or change has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in recent" serves as a temporal marker indicating proximity to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various writing styles, particularly in news and media. To use "in recent" effectively, ensure you clarify the timeframe (e.g., "in recent years") and avoid ambiguity regarding the period you're referencing. While alternatives like "lately" and "not long ago" exist, "in recent" often provides a more precise and descriptive temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lately

Single word adverb that directly indicates something happened not long ago.

in current

Focuses on the present moment or the immediate timeframe.

in contemporary

Emphasizes that something is happening in the present time period.

in the past few

Highlights the 'few' nature of a timeframe

in the last

Indicates an event that occurred during the most immediately preceding timeframe.

in present-day

Focuses on the events of the current time period.

in the near

Highlights the closeness in time when something happened.

in modern

Emphasizes that something belongs to the current or latest period of time.

in later

Refers to things that happened after a certain point, more recent in time.

not long ago

Highlights how little time has passed since something occurred.

FAQs

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

The phrase "in recent" is often followed by a unit of time, such as "in recent years" or "in recent months", to indicate something that has occurred not long ago. For example, "in recent years, the climate has changed significantly".

What phrases are similar to "in recent"?

Similar phrases include "lately", "in current", or "not long ago". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "in recent years" and "in the past few years"?

"In recent years" is a more general phrase, while "in the past few years" is more specific and indicates a shorter timeframe. You can replace "in recent years" with "in the past few years" if you mean something over just a small selection of years.

Is it better to use "in recent years" or "recently"?

"In recent years" is often more precise, specifying a general period, whereas "recently" is more vague. It can be more descriptive than "recently" to set the stage for the sentence that is following.