it was recent

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was recent" is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing an event, action, or change that has happened recently and that you want to emphasize. For example: "I heard about the news about the storm, but it was recent so I'm still trying to understand the full impact of the damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I don't know, but it was recent.

The New Yorker

Mr. Schwedo testified in the state legislature the other day that he did not know how long a period the data covered – just that it was "recent elections".

The New York Times

But the rest of the show — about a third of it — was recent Stooges, since their reunion in 2003, either from the band's brand-new record "The Weirdness," or from Iggy Pop's last solo record, "Skull Ring".

The New York Times - Arts

We also excluded patients with other carcinoma only if it was recent (1985 and later) or synchronous (n = 44, 2%).

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"And it's recent, too.

The New York Times - Food

It is present, it is personal and it is recent.

The New York Times

If it's recent there's every chance they will look after you".

The Guardian

"Now it is recent law graduates who are caught in the midst of an unanticipated squeeze".

The New York Times

Whenever we receive footage we need to be sure it is recent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is this a new behavior for them? A. It's recent.

The New York Times - Science

It's what we used to call new money, but it's not really that, it's recent money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was recent", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, provide context before using the phrase, like "The discovery was made last month; it was recent."

Common error

Avoid starting sentences with "it was recent" without first establishing what "it" refers to. This can create confusion and force the reader to guess the subject. Always provide clear context or introduce the subject in the preceding sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was recent" primarily functions as a statement of time or chronology, indicating that a particular event, action, or situation occurred in the near past. This usage is supported by Ludwig and its examples, which highlight recent occurrences in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was recent" serves to highlight the short time frame of an event or situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds use across different types of media, especially in news and science contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to, and avoid overuse without proper setup. Remember, "it was recent" is most effectively used when you need to stress the recency of something to provide relevant context. The provided examples via Ludwig also show that, even if grammatically correct, the word selection should fit the style of the document you are working on.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it happened recently

Focuses on the event itself and when it occurred, using "happened" to emphasize the action.

it occurred not long ago

Emphasizes the short time since the event, using more formal vocabulary.

it is a recent development

Highlights that something has newly emerged or unfolded.

it just took place

Emphasizes the immediacy of the event using "just" for emphasis.

it's only been a short while

Focuses on the limited duration since the event, using a more conversational tone.

it is newly established

Highlights something that has been created or founded very recently.

it has emerged lately

Emphasizes the recent visibility or awareness of something.

it unfolded just now

Stresses the very immediate and unfolding nature of an event.

its origins are fresh

Highlights that it has new origins.

it's from around here

Shows the recency of something.

FAQs

How can I use "it was recent" in a sentence?

Use "it was recent" to emphasize that an event, action, or change happened not long ago. For example, "The policy change was implemented last quarter; "it was recent", so we're still assessing its effects."

What are some alternatives to "it was recent"?

Alternatives include "it happened recently", "it occurred not long ago", or "it is a recent development", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was recently" instead of "it was recent"?

While "it was recent" focuses on the state of being recent, "it was recently" emphasizes the timing of the action or event. For example, "it was recently discovered" highlights when the discovery took place.

What's the difference between "it was recent" and "it is recent"?

"It was recent" refers to something that was recent in the past but might no longer be. "It is recent" indicates that something is currently recent. For example, "The upgrade was last week; "it was recent"" versus "The announcement is from today; "it is recent"."