in recent weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

"in recent weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that includes the past few weeks up to the present. For example: "I have seen a lot of changes in recent weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The conflict had intensified in recent weeks.

The New York Times

Look at them in recent weeks.

The New Yorker

Then, in recent weeks, people began dying.

Independent

The war has escalated in recent weeks.

The Economist

Acrimony has escalated in recent weeks.

The New York Times - Arts

But in recent weeks, the I.P.O.

The New York Times

Both updated their apps in recent weeks.

The New York Times

Trading has surged in recent weeks.

The New York Times

In recent weeks, those odds have shifted.

The New York Times

In recent weeks he has outdone himself.

The Economist

However, fighting has intensified in recent weeks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in recent weeks" to provide context for events or trends that have developed over the past few weeks, helping to establish a timeframe for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "in recent weeks" when you're referring to events that occurred over a longer period, such as several months or years. Use more appropriate phrases like "in recent months" or "in recent years" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in recent weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an event or action occurred. It provides temporal context, indicating that something happened during the weeks immediately preceding the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in recent weeks" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a timeframe encompassing the weeks immediately preceding the present. As Ludwig AI explains, its function is to provide temporal context, commonly found in news and media. Related phrases include "lately" and "in the past few weeks". When using it, ensure the timeframe aligns with the events you're describing and avoid using it for future events. Overall, "in recent weeks" is a versatile and useful phrase for setting the stage for recent developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past few weeks

A more explicit and slightly longer way of saying "in recent weeks".

during recent weeks

Highlights that something happened within the timeframe of recent weeks.

over the last few weeks

Emphasizes the duration covering the weeks leading up to the present.

these last weeks

Draws attention to the weeks that have just passed.

lately

Refers to a period of time in the near past, similar to "in recent weeks" but more concise.

the weeks before now

Explicitly describes the weeks leading to the current moment.

in the preceding weeks

More formal, referring to the weeks that came before the present.

of late

An older, somewhat more formal way of saying "lately" or "in recent weeks".

in recent times

Broader timeframe, encompassing more than just weeks but still relatively recent.

in the current weeks

Highlights the present weeks and what's happening now.

FAQs

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

"In recent weeks" is used to set a timeframe. For example, "In recent weeks, the company has announced several new initiatives."

What is a synonym for "in recent weeks"?

Synonyms include "lately", "in the past few weeks", or "over the last few weeks". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "in recent weeks" or "recently"?

Both are correct, but "in recent weeks" is more specific, indicating a period of several weeks. "Recently" is more general and can refer to a shorter or longer timeframe.

Can "in recent weeks" be used to describe future events?

No, "in recent weeks" refers to events that have already happened. To refer to future events, you might say "in the coming weeks" or "in the next few weeks".