recently discovered that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recently discovered that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a finding or realization that has occurred in the near past. Example: "The researchers recently discovered that the new drug significantly reduces symptoms of the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I only recently discovered that soon afterwards, the algae began to retreat.

Independent

We recently discovered that minute additions of sodium chloride (NaCl) during the preparation of electrospun polymethyl methacrylate (ES PMMA) nanofibers significantly raise their mechanical properties.

Polymer

We recently discovered that RGMa contains three sites of interaction with Neogenin.

Cell Death and Disease

Although it has been recently discovered that S. aureus and streptococci express pili, the role in disease is not known.

Critical Care

She had only recently discovered that myasthenia and Huntington's disease existed.

The New Yorker

I only recently discovered that my father had been there too.

The Guardian

She has only recently discovered that Neri was an undercover officer.

The Guardian

The scholar Eric Bennett recently discovered that the agency gave money to the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

The New Yorker

They say they only recently discovered that North Korea was a foreign country.

The Guardian - Music

However, scientists have recently discovered that these nests are sometimes attacked by hostile fungi.

The Guardian

Beyond that, Unicef recently discovered that drugs equivalent in value to 14 percent of what it had donated were missing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recently discovered that", ensure the discovery is genuinely recent and relevant to the context. Avoid using it for long-established facts.

Common error

Avoid using "recently discovered that" to introduce information that is already widely known or considered common knowledge. This can make your writing seem less credible or informed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recently discovered that" functions as an introductory phrase that signals the presentation of new or newly understood information. It connects the preceding context to a factual statement that has come to light recently, supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "recently discovered that" serves as a common and effective way to introduce novel information or findings, particularly in scientific and news-related contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used, conveying a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "newly found that" or "just found out that", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance and context. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the recency of a discovery or realization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recently learned that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge rather than the act of discovery.

newly found that

Emphasizes the newness of the finding but is less common.

researchers found that

Specifically attributes the discovery to researchers or a scientific study.

scientists have found that

Similar to "researchers found that", but specifically mentions scientists.

just found out that

Implies a more informal and immediate sense of discovery.

we observed that

Highlights the act of observation, often in a scientific context.

it has emerged that

Suggests the information has come to light gradually or from multiple sources.

it is now known that

Emphasizes the acceptance of the finding as established knowledge.

it turns out that

Implies a surprising or unexpected discovery.

as it turns out,

Highlights the unexpected or surprising nature of what has been discovered.

FAQs

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

You can use "recently discovered that" to introduce a new finding or realization. For example, "Scientists "recently discovered that" a certain protein plays a crucial role in the disease progression."

What are some alternatives to "recently discovered that"?

Alternatives include "newly found that", "recently learned that", or "it turns out that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who "recently discovered that"?

While not always required, specifying who made the discovery adds credibility and context. For example, "Researchers at Harvard "recently discovered that"..." is more informative than simply "It was "recently discovered that"...".

What's the difference between "recently discovered that" and "previously discovered that"?

"Recently discovered that" indicates a finding made in the near past, while "previously discovered that" refers to a finding made at some earlier point in time.