it is only recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is only recently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has happened recently, or hasn't been true for a long time. For example: "It is only recently that I have been able to find a job in my field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is only recently, however, that he noticed that supremely camouflaged octopuses were pretty common there.

Harvard University

It is only recently that a gliding shoulder blade architecture has been mechanically achieved.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

It is only recently, the subject of this special issue, that some progress has been made.

Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science

It is only recently that she has finally felt free from that mental imprisonment.

The Guardian

But it is only recently that several large banks entered into formal conversations with regulators.

The New York Times

It is only recently that the electorate have been prepared to have him on their doorstep.

The Guardian

It is only recently that such attitudes have been seriously questioned.

The Guardian

But it is only recently that the W.W.E. has actively recruited these athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

And it is only recently that we are seeing a new Britain rising in its place.

The Guardian

"It is only recently that I, as a writer, have been able to say that".

The New York Times

It is only recently that we realized how precious cord blood is; before then, we threw it out.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is only recently", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what situation or understanding has changed or emerged.

Common error

Avoid using "it is only recently" when the timeframe isn't genuinely recent. If the event occurred several years ago, consider alternative phrases that don't emphasize immediacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is only recently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the recency of an action, event, or realization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is only recently" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the recency of an event or realization. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct. It appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the timeframe is genuinely recent. Alternatives such as "only just recently" or "not long ago" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only just recently

Emphasizes the immediacy of the recent occurrence.

just in recent times

Highlights that the event happened within the current era.

not long ago

A simpler, more informal way of indicating a recent event.

only in the past few years

Specifies the recency in terms of years.

in recent times alone

Focuses on the uniqueness of the recent period.

as of late

A more formal way to express recent activity or change.

in the last few instances

Highlights the recent sequence of occurences.

newly

A brief and direct expression.

just now

Indicates something that has just happened.

in the recent past

A more descriptive version that states the action occured close to now.

FAQs

How can I use "it is only recently" in a sentence?

Use "it is only recently" to indicate that something has just begun to be true or understood. For example, "It is only recently that scientists have discovered this new species".

What can I say instead of "it is only recently"?

You can use alternatives like "only just recently", "not long ago", or "newly" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "it is only recently" or "it was only recently"?

Both "it is only recently" and "it was only recently" are correct, but they refer to different timeframes. "It is" refers to the present, while "it was" refers to the past.

What's the difference between "it is only recently" and "just recently"?

"It is only recently" is a more formal construction, while "just recently" is more concise. Both phrases indicate that something has happened or become known in the near past.