only recently that

USAGE SUMMARY

'only recently that' is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has done, happened, or become known fairly recently. For example: "It was only recently that the truth of the matter was revealed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is only recently that difference equations have started receiving the attention they deserve.

Advances in Difference Equations

It's only recently that he's unified his dual life.

Stanford University

It's only recently that I feel I own it.

Harvard Business Review

"It was only recently that our real suffering began".

The New Yorker

Maybe it was only recently that I truly grasped it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's only recently that people have been going: 'It's massive!

The New York Times - Arts

It is only recently that a gliding shoulder blade architecture has been mechanically achieved.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

It is only recently that researchers have been modelling uncertainty and multi-period issues.

European Journal of Operational Research

And it is only recently that a second, more assimilated generation has taken over.

The Washington Post

I realized only recently that something bigger and deeper was at work.

The New York Times - Travel

But it was only recently that she was able to look at them properly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only recently that", ensure the subsequent clause provides specific details about what has become recently known or has just occurred. This gives the sentence clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "only recently that" when the recency isn't truly significant to the statement. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only recently that" functions as an adverbial connector, emphasizing the temporal proximity between a past event or realization and the present moment. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it is used to highlight the recency of a fact or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only recently that" is a versatile adverbial connector used to emphasize the recency of an event, realization, or discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While "only recently that" is valuable for highlighting temporal proximity, avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "just recently that" or "only now that" for nuanced variations. Use "only recently that" to underscore the newness of the information you are presenting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just recently that

Directly replaces "only" with "just", maintaining the emphasis on the recency of the event or realization.

only just that

Swaps "recently" with "just", slightly altering the emphasis while keeping the core meaning of immediacy.

only now that

Emphasizes the present moment as the point of realization or change, shifting focus from a period to a specific time.

only subsequently that

Highlights that an event happened after a certain period, emphasizing the sequence and consequence.

only earlier that

Shifts the timeframe to a more immediate past, suggesting something happened not long before.

only later that

Indicates that something happened at a point following a specific event, emphasizing a delay.

only then that

Indicates a specific point in the past after which something occurred, adding a sequential aspect.

only prior that

Highlights something that happened immediately before a certain event, offering a slightly more formal tone.

only ultimately that

Suggests that something happened as the final result of a process, emphasizing culmination.

only once that

Highlights something that occurred a single time after an event, emphasizing uniqueness.

FAQs

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

Use "only recently that" to introduce a fact, realization, or event that has newly come to light. For example: "It's "only recently that" scientists have understood the full impact of microplastics on marine life."

What's a good alternative to "only recently that"?

Alternatives include "just recently that", "only now that", or "only just that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "only recently that"?

Yes, the phrase "only recently that" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing to indicate something that has occurred or become known in the near past.

What is the difference between "only recently that" and "recently"?

"Recently" simply indicates something happened not long ago. "Only recently that" emphasizes that it's a new development or realization. For example, "I visited Rome recently" vs. "It was "only recently that" I realized Rome's historical importance".