relatively recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'relatively recently' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has happened or occurred within the past year or two. For example: "I visited Japan relatively recently and had an incredible time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Fore people of Papua New Guinea, until relatively recently, practiced transumption - eating deceased relatives.

Huffington Post

GRAZDA Relatively recently.

The New York Times - Arts

And, until relatively recently, they weren't.

The New Yorker

Higher education has developed relatively recently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This development occurred relatively recently, approximately 10,000 years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It remained that way until relatively recently.

The New Yorker

Until relatively recently, stalking was not a specific criminal offence.

The Guardian

And until relatively recently it did not lead to Hollywood.

The New York Times

The airlines only relatively recently began transacting online.

The New York Times

(Ad-36 was identified relatively recently, in 1978).

The New York Times - Magazine

Until relatively recently, people with hyperhidrosis suffered silently -- and wetly.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively recently" when you want to indicate that something occurred not long ago, but without specifying an exact timeframe. This works well when the exact timing isn't as important as the recency itself.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively recently" excessively in formal academic papers where specific dates or periods would provide more clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively recently" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying when an action or event occurred. It modifies verbs or clauses to indicate that something happened not long ago. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively recently" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurred in the near past. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. As demonstrated by the examples, it frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts. It provides a sense of recency without specifying an exact timeframe, making it suitable for various situations where precise timing isn't essential. It's crucial to avoid overuse in formal academic papers and instead use precise dates and periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the last few years

Very similar to 'in recent years' but slightly more descriptive.

Just recently

Highlights the immediacy of the event.

In the recent past

More formal and emphasizes a specific period that is near the present.

In recent times

Emphasizes the current period or era more broadly.

Not long ago

A more informal way of indicating a past event.

Lately

Refers to a period leading up to the present moment.

Of late

A slightly more formal and less common variant of 'lately'.

In recent years

Specifically refers to the last few years.

In contemporary times

Broader reference to the current era, less specific about the immediate past.

In current times

Similar to 'in contemporary times' but slightly less formal.

FAQs

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

Use "relatively recently" to indicate that an event happened in the near past, without needing to specify an exact date. For example, "The company adopted new policies "relatively recently"."

What's a more formal alternative to "relatively recently"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "in the recent past" or "in recent years" for a more precise and professional tone. The company adopted new policies in the recent past.

How does "relatively recently" differ from "just now"?

"Just now" indicates something that happened moments ago, whereas "relatively recently" refers to a period in the recent past that could span weeks, months, or even a couple of years. It is more broad than "just now".

Is "relatively recently" interchangeable with "somewhat recently"?

While similar, "relatively recently" suggests a more immediate timeframe than "somewhat recently". "Somewhat recently" implies a slightly more distant past. It is a matter of the user interpretation.