recently unknown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recently unknown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has only recently become unknown or unfamiliar, often in contexts related to information, events, or people. Example: "The identity of the artist was recently unknown, but now it has been revealed to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There is also, until recently unknown to any but a few family members, a Frelinghuysen stamp collection.

The New York Times

The investigators' report documents an unseemly — and until relatively recently, unknown — chapter in the history of one of New York City's most acclaimed educational institutions.

The New York Times

ROME — In Gregorio Maria De Falco, the until recently unknown head of operations at the Port Authority in the Tuscan coastal city of Livorno, Italy found itself not just a national hero, but the anointed foil to Capt.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, new viruses are emerging - such as MERS or SARS, until recently unknown to science, and against which we have no line of defence.

Huffington Post

The Sacristan identifies a likeness between the portrait and a blonde-haired woman who has been visiting the church recently (unknown to him, it is Angelotti's sister the Marchesa).

Wikipedia

CYGB is a recently described, intracellular globin (Burmester et al, 2002, 2004) whose function was, until recently, unknown (Trent III and Hargrove, 2002).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Michael Forbes was until recently an unknown fisherman in an obscure town in the north of Scotland.

Forbes

The interbank lending rate at the heart of the banking scandal was until recently relatively unknown outside the City.

The Guardian - Business

The origins of the outbreak, which has now killed at least 18 people — 17 in Germany and a Swede who visited there recently — remain unknown.

The New York Times

The origins of the outbreak, which has killed at least 17 people — 16 in Germany and a Swede who visited there recently — remain unknown.

The New York Times

The source of the outbreak, which has killed at least 16 people — 15 in Germany and a Swede who visited there recently — remained unknown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recently unknown" to emphasize the shift from a state of being unknown to potential current awareness, implying a relatively short time frame.

Common error

While "recently unknown" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the text sound less sophisticated. Consider alternatives like "newly discovered" or "previously unrecognized" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase. "Recently unknown" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its state of being not known until a short time ago. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recently unknown" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that has only become unknown in the recent past. Ludwig AI validates its usage, showing that it appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While relatively uncommon, it effectively highlights a transition from obscurity to potential awareness. When writing, consider alternatives like "newly discovered" or "previously unrecognized" for a more formal tone. Avoid overuse to maintain writing sophistication. Overall, "recently unknown" is a valuable phrase for conveying the idea of something's newfound lack of recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

newly discovered

Focuses on the act of discovery, highlighting that the information or entity has just been found.

newly identified

Similar to newly discovered, but emphasizes the process of identification.

previously unrecognized

Emphasizes that something existed but was not acknowledged or understood before.

newfound

Implies a recent and often unexpected discovery or finding.

formerly unacknowledged

Similar to previously unrecognized, but with a stronger emphasis on explicit acknowledgement.

lately revealed

Suggests that information was hidden or not publicly available until recently.

just unveiled

Suggests a deliberate act of making something known or public.

new on the scene

Implies that something has recently emerged or appeared.

freshly disclosed

Highlights the recent release of information.

hitherto obscure

Highlights the prior lack of prominence or clarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "recently unknown" to describe something that has only become unknown or unfamiliar in the near past. For example: "The function of this gene was "recently unknown", but new research has shed light on its role."

What are some alternatives to "recently unknown"?

Alternatives include "newly discovered", "previously unrecognized", or "lately revealed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unknown recently" instead of "recently unknown"?

While "unknown recently" might be understood, "recently unknown" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing.

What's the difference between "recently unknown" and "newly unfamiliar"?

"Recently unknown" emphasizes the state of not being known until recently, while "newly unfamiliar" suggests that something was once known but has recently become unfamiliar. The choice depends on whether the subject was ever known in the first place.