in recent months

USAGE SUMMARY

"in recent months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a period of time in the recent past that is not precisely defined. For example: "In recent months, many people have been struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In recent months, equities have outperformed bonds.

The New York Times

The feud has escalated in recent months.

The New York Times

In recent months, capital outflows have surged.

The Economist

Overall borrowing has increased in recent months.

The New York Times

Tempers have cooled in recent months.

The New York Times - Magazine

The clampdown has intensified in recent months.

The New York Times

Inflation in recent months has been zero.

The New York Times

In recent months, bounties have soared.

The New York Times

But efforts have sputtered in recent months.

The New York Times - Arts

In recent months, Fidyka's progress has continued.

The New Yorker

But in recent months Boris was depressed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in recent months" to refer to a period of time in the recent past without specifying exact dates. It is suitable for general trends and developments.

Common error

While versatile, overusing the phrase can make your writing repetitive. Consider using more specific timeframes or alternatives like "recently" or "lately" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in recent months" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by indicating when an action or event occurred. This is confirmed by Ludwig, with many real-world examples demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in recent months" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a period in the immediate past. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples indicates its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it helps provide temporal context to ongoing events. While its usage is generally considered correct and suitable for a range of registers, diversifying your vocabulary with alternatives like "over the past few months" or "lately" can enhance writing clarity and style. According to Ludwig, "in recent months" can be reliably used when referring to an unspecified time in the recent past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Over the past few months

This alternative emphasizes the duration and passage of time.

In the last few months

This option is more direct and focuses on the recency of the period.

These past months

This alternative emphasizes a retrospective view of the months in question.

Recently

This option is similar to "lately" but slightly more formal.

Lately

This phrase is shorter and more informal.

In recent weeks

This narrows the timeframe to a shorter period.

Of late

A slightly more formal and less common alternative.

In the immediate past

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the closeness to the present.

During the preceding months

This alternative is more formal and often used in academic or historical contexts.

In the contemporary period

This phrase implies a broader timeframe and is more suitable for discussing trends or developments.

FAQs

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

"In recent months" is typically used to introduce a change, trend, or observation that has occurred in the period leading up to the present. For example, "In recent months, the company has seen a significant increase in sales."

What are some alternatives to "in recent months"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "over the past few months", "lately", or "recently" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "in recent months" and "in the last few months"?

While both phrases are similar, "in the last few months" is more specific, referring to a defined period. "In recent months" is more general and can refer to a less precisely defined timeframe.

Can "in recent months" be used for future events?

No, "in recent months" refers to a period in the past leading up to the present. To refer to future events, use phrases like "in the coming months" or "in the next few months."