it was only recent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was only recent" is not correct in standard English.
The correct form would be "it was only recently." Example: "I realized it was only recently that I started to appreciate classical music."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the end, she said, it was only recent advances in DNA testing that led investigators to Mr. Norwood.

The New York Times

The fact that a mass murderer likes a work of entertainment or art is actively bad news for its originators, unfortunately for Paradise Hotel – and a reflection from such a person that it was only recent brain damage that rendered the work enjoyable does little to take the curse off the endorsement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Owing to the rarity and its morphologic heterogeneity, it is only recent that provisional consensus on staging and histologic classifications have been reached.

British Journal of Cancer

But it's only recent updates to the eye-tracking devices that have made it possible to use them with young children to investigate how much of their surroundings they take in.

The Guardian

It is only recent that the narrative has begun to change and finally after going through hell, the nation has finally beginning to crawl out of the pit.

Huffington Post

But it was only in recent weeks that investigators from the commission began to zero in on the Enron deal.

The New York Times

But it was only in recent weeks that even some of the most prominent shareholder advocates started raising their voices.

The New York Times

It was only in recent years that Saudis started living in compounds, long a preserve of Westerners.

The New York Times

Rick Naimark, the deputy city manager, said it was only a recent bump in other revenues that made the plan work.

The New York Times

It was only in recent years that enough information became available in Russia to determine that while the submarine was severely damaged, it had limped back to port.

The New York Times

He was a private man but he wasn't reclusive and it was only in recent years that I learned what he looked like.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the adverbial form "recently" instead of the adjective "recent" in this context to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "it was only recently discovered" instead of "it was only recent discovered".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "recent" when the adverb "recently" is required to modify the verb. Using "recent" incorrectly leads to ungrammatical sentences. Always check if you are modifying a verb or describing a noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to indicate the timing or recency of an event or situation. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI notes, the proper form requires the adverb "recently".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was only recent" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "it was only recently". While examples of its usage exist across various sources, primarily in news and scientific contexts, its incorrect grammar diminishes its overall quality. Using the correct adverbial form ensures clarity and credibility in your writing. Be mindful of the distinction between adjectives and adverbs to prevent similar errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was only recently

Corrects the grammatical error by adding the adverbial ending "-ly" to "recent".

it has only recently been

Emphasizes the action or event occurring recently and introduces a passive voice.

it is only in recent times

Highlights the novelty of the situation within a broader time frame.

it is just recently that

Uses "just" for emphasis on the recency of the event.

only in recent years

Focuses on the specific timeframe of recent years.

it was only in recent weeks

Specifies a shorter timeframe using "weeks" instead of a broader period.

it's only lately that

Uses "lately" to indicate something has started happening recently.

it has only been of late

Employs a more formal and slightly archaic tone.

not until recently

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the timing.

it's a recent development

Shifts focus to the novelty of the subject matter.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it was only recent"?

The grammatically correct way is to say "it was only recently". The adverb "recently" correctly modifies the verb, whereas "recent" is an adjective.

Can I use "it was just recent" instead of "it was only recent"?

No, "it was just recent" is not grammatically correct. A better alternative would be "it was only recently" or "it was just recently".

What does "it was only recently" mean?

The phrase "it was only recently" means that something happened or became known a short time ago. It emphasizes the newness or recency of an event or discovery.

What are some alternatives to "it was only recently"?

Alternatives include "it has only recently been", "it is only in recent times", or "only in recent years", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.