quite recently

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite recently" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to activities that have taken place in the near past, but not too long ago. For example, "I visited Tokyo quite recently and it was a wonderful experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mobile phones were banned until quite recently.

Independent

It was actually quite recently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Shakira: I was there quite recently.

The Guardian - Music

"Life here was brutal until quite recently.

The Guardian - Arts

I had dinner there quite recently".

The Guardian - Arts

Until quite recently Lusaka had no shopping malls.

The Economist

Until quite recently, most political scientists shared De Tocqueville's view.

The Economist

He seemed until quite recently to be doing reasonably well.

The Economist

"Nobody thought it was unconstitutional until quite recently".

The New York Times

Until quite recently, that question was difficult to answer.

The New Yorker

The mice, however, arrived quite recently on sealing vessels.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite recently" in formal writing or academic contexts, ensure that it is followed by a clear and specific context. This helps to avoid any ambiguity about the timeframe.

Common error

Avoid overusing "quite recently" in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms such as "fairly recently" or "not long ago" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite recently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time frame of an action or event. Ludwig's examples show how it modifies verbs, specifying when something occurred in the near past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite recently" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to indicate that an action or event occurred in the near past. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples show that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, most commonly in News & Media and Science. While it may not be the most creative phrase, it's a straightforward and reliable way to provide a temporal context. Remember, avoid overusing the phrase in a single piece of writing. Instead, consider using alternatives like "fairly recently" or "not long ago" to prevent monotony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly recently

Emphasizes a slightly less immediate timeframe than "quite recently".

just recently

Adds a sense of immediacy or surprise to the event.

in recent times

Highlights that the event occurred within the current era or period.

not long ago

Focuses on the limited time elapsed since the event.

in the recent past

Formally emphasizes that the event took place in the period just before the present.

of late

Suggests a pattern or trend over a short period of time.

lately

Similar to "of late", but slightly more informal.

in recent weeks

Narrows the timeframe to the past few weeks.

in the last few days

Specifically refers to the most immediate past.

in the immediate past

Highlights the recency but with a more formal tone.

FAQs

How do I use "quite recently" in a sentence?

"Quite recently" is used to indicate that something happened in the near past. For example, "I visited Italy "quite recently" and enjoyed the food."

What can I say instead of "quite recently"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly recently", "just recently", or "not long ago" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "quite recently" or "lately"?

"Quite recently" is generally considered more formal than "lately". Use "quite recently" in formal writing and presentations, while "lately" is suitable for more casual conversations.

What's the difference between "recently" and "quite recently"?

Adding "quite" to "recently" intensifies the sense of immediacy. "Quite recently" suggests that the event is fresher in the past than just using "recently".