pretty recently

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty recently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that happened not too long ago, often within the last few months or weeks. For example: I visited the city pretty recently, but I'd love to go back again soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

That was unthinkable until pretty recently".

The New York Times

The party of Disraeli, Britain's only Jewish prime minister, was until pretty recently shunned by Jews.

The Economist

Until pretty recently, the consensus among economists and investors was that this policy was generally working.

The New Yorker

I mean, this guy, you know, he's got 10 Grand Slams pretty recently.

The New York Times - Sports

Until pretty recently, I hadn't realized that Christie was once a lobbyist.

The New Yorker

Of all ages, his gals were either very young now or had been even better-looking pretty recently.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But it was striking that some of the most vocal supporters of an elected mayor are entrepreneurs with a strong dash of impatience about their home city, which they feel has been resting complacently on its undoubted charms (a pretty, recently-restored harbour, varied architecture, two universities and lovely countryside just outside the city limits).

The Economist

The Nasdaq market has fallen pretty sharply recently.

The New York Times

THE global terrorist franchise of al-Qaeda has scored pretty well recently.

The Economist

Everyone wants to battle for each other and we've been playing pretty well recently".

The New York Times

And I really enjoyed reading Sally Nicholls' Close Your Pretty Eyes recently.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty recently" to indicate an event that occurred within the last few months, providing a sense of the near past without being overly specific.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty recently" excessively in formal writing. While acceptable, it leans towards the informal side. Opt for alternatives like "more recently" or "in recent times" in academic papers or business reports.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "pretty recently" functions as an adverb of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. It specifies that something happened in the near past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty recently" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something occurred in the near past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable for general use, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it leans towards the informal side, suggesting that more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain contexts. When writing, keep in mind that alternatives like "quite recently", "fairly recently", or "not long ago" can offer subtle yet meaningful variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite recently

Emphasizes the recency of the event more strongly than "pretty recently".

fairly recently

Similar to "pretty recently" but slightly more formal.

rather recently

Adds a touch of formality and detachment compared to "pretty recently".

just recently

Highlights the immediate past nature of the event.

in recent times

Focuses on a period of time rather than a specific point.

not long ago

A more general way of indicating that something happened in the past, but the timeframe is not very specific.

in the recent past

Formal and emphasizes that something has happened in a time period before the present.

of late

A more literary or old-fashioned way of saying "recently".

in recent weeks

Focuses more specifically on the last few weeks.

in the last few months

Offers a broader timeframe than "pretty recently".

FAQs

What does "pretty recently" mean?

The phrase "pretty recently" means that something happened not too long ago, usually within the last few weeks or months. It indicates a time frame that is neither very distant nor extremely immediate.

How can I use "pretty recently" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty recently" to describe when an event took place. For example, "I visited the museum "pretty recently" and was impressed by the new exhibit."

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty recently"?

Alternatives to "pretty recently" include "quite recently", "fairly recently", "just recently", or "not long ago". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "pretty recently" formal or informal?

"Pretty recently" leans towards the informal side. While generally acceptable in most contexts, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "more recently" or "in recent times" in academic or professional writing.