so recently

USAGE SUMMARY

"so recently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something happened recently or to contrast with something that happened in the past or is expected to happen in the future. For example: "We just visited Italy last month, so recently I've been dreaming about going back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So recently she moved.

The New York Times

He has not done so recently.

The New York Times - Sports

So recently, she went off the grid.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was intact and beautiful so recently.

The New York Times

So, recently you've been looking at chemical equilibria.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So recently I've been writing a lot about that".

Independent

With adolescence so recently shucked off, your independence scintillates.

The New Yorker

Yet where we are seemed impossible so recently.

The New Yorker

Because Mr. Reynolds left so recently, his return was surprising.

The New York Times

Would KTI lose the ground it had so recently gained?

Harvard Business Review

And though he hasn't done so recently, he can score.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so recently" to emphasize the surprise or impact of an event that has occurred in the near past. This is particularly effective when contrasting it with a previous state or expectation. For instance, "The company was struggling, but so recently it secured a major contract."

Common error

While "so recently" is grammatically sound, it can sound slightly informal or conversational. In highly formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "very recently" or "in the recent past" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so recently" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the temporal proximity of an event or action. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to highlight the recency of the action or state being described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0.8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so recently" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the recency of an event. According to Ludwig's analysis and examples, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, adding emphasis to the timing of events, suggesting surprise, or highlighting a contrast. While generally neutral in register, it is advisable to use alternative phrases like "very recently" in more formal or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone. Avoid overuse, and ensure its inclusion adds genuine emphasis to your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very recently

Emphasizes the short time elapsed since the event, similar to "so recently".

just now

Indicates an event that happened in the immediate past.

in recent times

Highlights that something occurred within the current era or period.

not long ago

Suggests that the event is still relatively fresh in memory.

in the recent past

Focuses on the period immediately before the present.

lately

Refers to a period close to the present, though potentially slightly longer than "so recently".

of late

A more formal way of saying "lately", indicating recent occurrence.

in this day and age

Highlights the current period, implying that the event is a product of modern times.

these days

Emphasizes the contemporary nature of something.

in current times

Highlights an action's alignment with the current period.

FAQs

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

Use "so recently" to emphasize that something has happened in the near past, often highlighting a change or unexpected event. For example, "The team was losing, but "so recently" they've turned things around".

What are some alternatives to saying "so recently"?

You can use alternatives like "very recently", "just now", or "not long ago" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "so recently" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "so recently", especially when you want to emphasize the timing of the event. However, ensure it flows well within the context of your writing.

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

"Recently" simply indicates that something happened not long ago. "So recently" adds emphasis, highlighting the recency and potentially the unexpected nature of the event. For instance, "They announced the merger recently", versus "They announced the merger "so recently", it was a surprise to everyone".