only just recently

USAGE SUMMARY

"only just recently" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something has happened very recently or in a very short period of time. Example: I can't believe it, but I only just recently moved to this city and I've already made so many new friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Only just recently it went back into print.

The New York Times - Arts

They arrived back in the early eighties, but I only just recently started wearing them".

The New Yorker

Internet Explorer was the leading Internet browser and Google AdWords had only just recently launched.

Harvard Business Review

Apparently it's only just recently been exposed by the Four Corners show.

The Guardian

MF: Yes because I've only just recently formed a film company, y'know, and this represents our first feature.

The Guardian - Film

"Jozy's been in great form, not only just recently for the national team but also last season and the season before, over in Holland," Howard said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

We initially thought there was only one alternate composition, but just recently, we discovered another layer," Van Kirk said.

Stanford University

But Donen is just 30 and only recently moved from writing sweetly nihilistic pop songs to classical works.

The Guardian - Music

It was only recently – just in time for the World Cup, funnily enough – that the All Blacks stumbled upon a new wing combination hot enough to wage a scorched earth campaign across the entire rugby landscape.

Independent

"It's really been made possible only recently just by the incredible proliferation of mobile devices, our ability to do mesh networking intelligently, and to have a really inexpensive microchip that can do the processing," says Vassallo, referring to her portfolio company Enlighted.

TechCrunch

I had only recently just heard their well-received Take The Kids Off Broadway EP and their new Richard Swift-produced single "Shuggie," all of which I dug.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only just recently" to add emphasis when you want to highlight the very recent occurrence of an event or change. It subtly conveys surprise or particular relevance due to its nearness in time.

Common error

Avoid using "only just recently" with other redundant time markers like "just now" or "a few moments ago". This can make the sentence sound awkward and repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only just recently" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding emphasis to the recency of an action or event. It intensifies the notion of 'recently,' highlighting that something has occurred in the very immediate past. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "only just recently" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize the very recent occurrence of an event. As Ludwig confirms, it is considered correct for use in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and academic writing. While it adds emphasis, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy with other time markers. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey, as phrases like ""very recently"" or ""just recently"" offer subtly different implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Just recently

Slightly less emphatic than "only just recently", but still indicates a short time frame.

Very recently

Emphasizes the recency of the event more directly, without the additional nuance of "only just".

Not long ago

Emphasizes that it hasn't been a long time since the event.

Lately

Implies a period of time leading up to the present, rather than a specific recent point.

A short while ago

Less precise, indicating a recent time without specific emphasis.

In recent times

More formal and refers to a broader span of time that is still considered recent.

In the recent past

Similar to "in recent times" but slightly less formal.

Of late

A more literary or old-fashioned way to say "lately".

Just now

Refers to something that happened in the immediate past.

Newly

Focuses on the state of being new or recently established.

FAQs

How can I use "only just recently" in a sentence?

Use "only just recently" to emphasize that something has occurred very shortly before the time of speaking or writing. For example, "I "only just recently" discovered this author, and I'm already hooked."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "only just recently"?

Similar phrases include "very recently", "just recently", or "lately". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "only just recently" with other time adverbs?

Yes, using "only just recently" with other specific time adverbs like "now" or "today" can be redundant. It's best to choose the most concise way to express the timing.

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

The phrase ""only just recently"" emphasizes the immediacy and surprise of something happening, whereas "recently" simply indicates that something happened in the near past without adding extra emphasis.