not very recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very recently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened a while ago, but not too long ago. Example: "I haven't seen her not very recently, but I do remember our last conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"There is hardly a Latino family who doesn't currently or didn't very recently have a family member who was undocumented".

The New York Times

That villager, a woman named Griselda in a blue apron and not-very-recently-dyed auburn hair, turned out to run a little provisions store just across the street.

The New York Times - Travel

Had she not said, very recently, that they couldn't swing it?

Vice

In effect, they're seeing these users' status updates without being able to see their profiles — something that hasn't previously happened on Facebook, at least not until very recently.

TechCrunch

"One of the amazing things about holograms," Moore explains, "is that this technology from the 1960s really hasn't been challenged since its innovation, at least not until very recently.

The New York Times

Satellite imagery specifically suited for constructing a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) has not, until very recently (e.g., TanDem-X, Poland 2014) been acquired regularly and is still not widely available to most volcano observatories.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

It is a mistake to dismiss the possibility of a hung parliament simply because it has not happened very recently.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not until very recently, with the advent of digital photography and video, and unlimited storage and distribution capacity, has it been conceivable to film everything.

The New Yorker

Germany was not, until very recently, known for its chefs, but it does have a well-earned reputation for quality control.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is not until very recently that thermophoresis is found applicable on large molecular clusters or nanostructures.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It was not until very recently that the problem of spoofing attacks against face biometric system gained attention of the research community.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very recently", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the time frame you're describing. Avoid ambiguity by specifying a relative time (e.g., "not very recently, before the new regulations").

Common error

While acceptable, "not very recently" can sound vague in formal contexts. Opt for more precise alternatives like "within the last few years" or "prior to 2020" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very recently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or event. It specifies that something occurred in the past, but not in the immediate past, as shown in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very recently" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something happened a while ago, but not in the distant past. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While suitable for general use, remember that more precise alternatives might be preferable in formal writing to avoid vagueness. Consider related phrases like ""some time ago"" or "a while back" for similar meanings. Avoid overuse in formal contexts and always ensure clarity by providing a context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some time ago

Indicates a period further back than "not very recently", implying a more significant passage of time.

a while back

Similar to "some time ago" but slightly more informal.

not long ago

Focuses on the relative shortness of the time passed, the opposite of "not very recently".

in the recent past

More formal way of saying "not very recently", emphasizing the period before now.

not so long ago

Emphasizes that the event is still relatively fresh in memory.

a short while ago

Similar to "a while back", but suggests an even shorter duration.

in recent times

Broader than "not very recently", referring to a general period.

earlier

A simple and direct way to indicate something happened before the present.

previously

Formal term indicating something occurred at an earlier time.

in the past

Very broad and general, but still indicates a time before the present.

FAQs

What does "not very recently" mean?

The phrase "not very recently" indicates that something happened a while ago, but not in the distant past. It suggests a time frame that is neither immediate nor remote.

How can I use "not very recently" in a sentence?

You can use "not very recently" to describe events that occurred some time ago but are still relevant to the current discussion. For example, "I spoke to her "some time ago", so my information might be outdated."

What can I say instead of "not very recently"?

You can use alternatives like ""some time ago"", "a while back", or "not long ago" depending on the context.

Is "not very recently" formal or informal?

"Not very recently" is generally considered neutral in tone. While acceptable in most contexts, more precise language is preferred in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "in the recent past" for academic or professional settings.