in recent terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in recent terms" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when discussing recent developments or changes in a specific context, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "In recent terms, the company's profits have significantly increased due to new marketing strategies."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

While the Supreme Court gets far more attention, in recent terms it has reviewed only about 75 cases a year — half what it considered a generation ago.

The New York Times

Still, Judge Sotomayor also criticized conservative attacks on Supreme Court decisions in recent terms that mentioned foreign law — including decisions striking down the death penalty for juveniles and striking down a Texas law barring sodomy.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court, which has been focused in recent terms on the rights of corporations and on curbing big lawsuits, returns to the bench on Monday with a different agenda.

The New York Times

The Supreme Court has in recent terms been sympathetic to retaliation claims in employment discrimination suits, and Ms. Kruger, the government lawyer, pressed that point, urging the justices to allow Ms. Perich to pursue her claim.

The New York Times

Her remarks on legal issues arising from the Bush administration's response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, represent the most detailed indication to surface so far of her approach to executive power and counterterrorism, a high-profile area that has sharply divided the Supreme Court in recent terms.

The New York Times

"He's very concerned about the activism of the court in recent terms," said Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, ticking off a series of cases that angered liberals, most notably allowing corporations to spend freely in election campaigns.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In more recent terms, in logic and mathematics, as in epistemology and philosophy of science, Mill must be considered a naturalist.

SEP

In the last term, the court issued 73 signed decisions in argued cases, in line with recent terms and about half the number the court routinely issued two decades ago.

The New York Times

This restraint is discernable in the fact that, in its recent term, the Supreme Court overturned no fewer than 27 decisions made by the activist appeals court in San Francisco.

The Economist

In the recent term, Mr. Phillips was on the winning side in three cases before the court.

The New York Times

"In his most recent term in the legislature, Heath Mello voted 100% with Planned Parenthood Voters of Nebraska," Mello campaign manager Paige Hutchinson said in a statement.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in recent terms", ensure the context makes it clear what 'terms' refers to, such as specific court terms or legislative periods.

Common error

Avoid using "in recent terms" in contexts where more common alternatives like "recently" or "in recent years" would be clearer and more natural. Overusing less common phrases can make writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in recent terms" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify a timeframe. Ludwig AI indicates it is less common and suggests more standard alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in recent terms" is used to denote a timeframe in the recent past, often referring to specific periods like court sessions or legislative terms. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes that it's less common than alternatives like "in recent times" or "in recent years". Its usage is more concentrated in News & Media, with less frequent appearances in scientific or formal business contexts. Therefore, while correct, opting for more common phrases can improve clarity. As a summary, "in recent terms" should be reserved for specific contexts where "terms" has a clear referent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in recent times

This alternative is more common and widely accepted for indicating a period of recent history.

in recent years

This focuses on a longer, less precise period than "terms", typically spanning several years.

in the last few years

This emphasizes a duration of a few years, adding a sense of approximation.

lately

This is a concise alternative suggesting a general period of recent activity or change.

in current discussions

This alternative narrows the focus to the present time.

in contemporary discussions

This is more formal and pertains to current discussions.

in present circumstances

This emphasizes the current situation or conditions.

in the present climate

This phrase refers to a prevailing mood or attitude at the current time.

in recent developments

This is best used when focusing on how events evolved recently.

currently

This is more simple and direct when emphasizing something in progress.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "in recent terms"?

You can use alternatives like "in recent times", "in recent years", or "lately" depending on the context.

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

You can use "in recent terms" when referring to specific periods or sessions, like "In recent terms, the Supreme Court has reviewed fewer cases."

Is "in recent terms" grammatically correct?

Yes, "in recent terms" is grammatically acceptable, but it's less common than other similar phrases.

What is the difference between "in recent terms" and "in recent times"?

"In recent times" is a more general phrase referring to the recent past, while "in recent terms" suggests a specific period or session, such as a legislative or academic term.