relatively recent

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively recent" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event or a development that has occurred within the past few years, as opposed to a more distant event or development. For example, you could say, "The technology used in this factory is relatively recent, having only been introduced in the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ronan Farrow is a relatively recent invention.

The New York Times - Style

Miller is a relatively recent Vermont transplant.

The New Yorker

"GLOBALISATION" is a relatively recent term.

The Economist

This is a relatively recent phenomenon.

The New York Times

It's a relatively recent development.

Harvard University

It's a relatively recent phenomenon".

The New York Times - Science

'Ecological engineering' is relatively recent.

Ecological Engineering

This superstition is of relatively recent vintage.

Princeton University

Rather, that broad construction is relatively recent.

Cornell University

One relatively recent example is chat reference.

Princeton University

Oman's oil problems are relatively recent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively recent", ensure the context provides a clear timeframe for what 'recent' means. Without context, the phrase can be vague.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively recent" as a filler phrase. Instead, try to quantify the timeframe (e.g., "in the last decade") or provide a reference point for comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively recent" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that something being discussed has occurred or come into existence not long ago, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

33%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relatively recent" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival modifier used to indicate that something happened or began in the near past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and utilized across various contexts, including news, academia, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, it's important to provide context to what "recent" refers to. Alternatives such as "fairly new" or "recently developed" may be suitable depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. While the phrase is versatile, it should be used thoughtfully to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly new

Indicates something is new to a reasonable degree, similar to "relatively recent" but slightly less formal.

quite new

Similar to "fairly new", emphasizes the newness but with a touch more emphasis.

recently developed

Focuses on the development aspect and implies an evolution over a short time.

newly established

Suitable when referring to the establishment of something, like an organization or process.

of recent origin

Highlights the origin or beginning point being in the recent past, slightly more formal.

not long ago

More informal and emphasizes the short passage of time.

in recent times

Refers to a period closer to the present, rather than a specific event.

lately

Simple and direct, but can sometimes imply a shorter timeframe than "relatively recent".

in the recent past

Slightly more verbose, but emphasizes the past nature of the event within a recent timeframe.

just now

Implies the event happened very recently, almost immediately before the present.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively recent" in a sentence?

Use "relatively recent" to describe events, developments, or trends that have occurred in the near past. For example: "The increase in remote work is a "relatively recent" phenomenon."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "relatively recent"?

Alternatives include "fairly new", "recently developed", or "of recent origin". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "relatively recent" or "very recent"?

"Relatively recent" implies a comparison to a longer timeline, while "very recent" suggests immediacy. Use "relatively recent" when contrasting with older events. The choice depends on the specific context.

What does "relatively recent" mean in the context of historical studies?

In historical studies, "relatively recent" is subjective but generally refers to events within the last century, depending on the overall scope of the study. It indicates a shorter timeframe compared to ancient or medieval history.