more recent than

USAGE SUMMARY

'more recent than' is correct and can be used in written English as a comparison.
For example: Her most recent book is more recent than his most recent book.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is more recent than was thought.

The Economist

Worse, the memory often feels more recent than it should.

The New York Times - Health

No pterosaur remains are more recent than the Cretaceous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Amy Davidson marvels at how the event feels both more distant and more recent than that.

The New Yorker

One of the graves, without a headstone, was more recent than the others.

The New Yorker

Reeves says: "Technology for autism is more recent than in other areas of disability.

The Guardian

The shared history that brought these tribes together is, of course, more recent than the massacre at Wounded Knee.

The New Yorker

It was more recent than the second world war; it lasted longer; and it affected families still living in Lithuania.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus, Mr. Pfeiffer asserted, in 1982 "Carter's presidency seemed more recent than Bush's presidency" does to voters this year.

The New York Times

Now, as I stood with the yellowish mud crawling over my shoe, I saw that it was not only larger but much more recent than I had imagined.

The Guardian

So after my visit, I asked the Dartmouth researchers who analyze Medicare spending if they had any data more recent than the 2006 numbers I already had.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing dates or events, ensure clarity by specifying the units of time (e.g., "more recent by a decade" or "more recent by several years").

Common error

Avoid using "more recent than" without a clear reference point. Always specify what you are comparing it to, or the statement becomes meaningless. For instance, instead of saying "This study is more recent", clarify with "This study is more recent than the previous one".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more recent than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing occurred or existed closer to the present time compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more recent than" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative phrase used to establish temporal relationships. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates that one event or item is closer to the present compared to another. Its neutral register and widespread use in both news media and scientific publications make it versatile for various contexts. When using "more recent than", it's crucial to provide a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. Consider opting for synonyms like "later than" or "newer compared to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

later than

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the temporal relationship.

more contemporary than

Highlights a similarity in time, suggesting both are modern but one is more so.

more modern than

Emphasizes the modernity of one item over another.

newer compared to

Focuses on the novelty aspect rather than a strict temporal relationship.

more up-to-date than

Specifically refers to information or data that is current.

of later origin than

More formal and emphasizes the origin or beginning of something.

postdates

A concise verb that means to occur or come later in time than something else.

subsequent to

A formal term indicating something that follows in time.

developed after

Focuses on the development timeline, indicating when something came into being.

occurring after

A more descriptive way to say that something happened at a later time.

FAQs

How can I use "more recent than" in a sentence?

Use "more recent than" to compare the dates or times of two events or items, indicating which is closer to the present. For example, "The discovery of this fossil is "more recent than" the discovery of the first hominid remains".

What's a simple alternative to "more recent than"?

A simpler alternative is "later than". For instance, instead of "This edition is "more recent than" the last one", you could say, "This edition is "later than" the last one".

Which is correct, "more recent than" or "more recently than"?

"More recent than" is correct when comparing the recency of two nouns or events. "More recently than" would be used when comparing how recently two actions were performed. For example, "He updated the document "more recently than" she did".

What's the difference between "more recent than" and "newer than"?

"More recent than" focuses on the temporal aspect, emphasizing the time elapsed since an event. "Newer than" highlights the state of being new. While often interchangeable, "newer than" emphasizes the condition, while "more recent than" emphasizes the time. For example, saying a car is "more recent than" another focuses on the year it was made, while saying it's "newer than" another emphasizes its current condition.