the recent past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the recent past" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time that has recently ended, or to refer to something that happened a short time ago. For example, "As we look back at the recent past, it's clear that our society has made a lot of progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Romney could not escape the recent past.

Independent

"Not just the recent past," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

First, the recent past.

The Guardian

Nasser didn't stop with the recent past.

The New York Times - Magazine

That had worked in the recent past.

The Guardian

The recent past, though, is painfully clear.

The New York Times

Sadly, based on the recent past, it's plain prudent.

The Economist

It is all a marked reversal from the recent past.

The Economist

There's been plenty of chat in the recent past.

The Guardian - Sport

He is also informed by the recent past.

Independent

"What trick?" I quickly turned over the recent past.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the recent past", be mindful of your audience's perspective. What constitutes 'recent' can vary depending on the context and their personal experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "the recent past" when a more specific timeframe is required. If possible, provide specific years or events for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the recent past" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it referring to a timeframe shortly before the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the recent past" is a versatile noun phrase used to denote a timeframe close to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. When using "the recent past", remember to consider your audience's perspective on what 'recent' means and avoid ambiguity by providing specific time references when necessary. You can consider using alternatives such as "the immediate past" or "the last few years" depending on the nuances you want to convey. By using the best practices, you can effectively communicate about events in "the recent past".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the immediate past

Focuses on the period closest to the present moment.

the immediate history

Emphasizes the historical aspect of the very recent events.

the last few years

Specifies a timeframe of several years leading up to the present.

recent times

A more general term referring to the current era or epoch.

the modern era

Broader reference to the current period, including longer timespans than "recent past".

the preceding period

More formal way of referring to the time just before the present.

the bygone days

Refers to a past time, but with a stronger sense of nostalgia or distance.

the historical backdrop

Focuses on setting the stage for current events with past events.

yesteryear

A poetic term referring to times in the past, typically implies a romanticized version of it.

days gone by

Refers to past times, usually with an emphasis on experiences and memories.

FAQs

How can I use "the recent past" in a sentence?

You can use "the recent past" to refer to events or periods that have just ended or occurred not long ago. For example, "The company's success is largely due to innovations implemented in the recent past."

What's a good alternative to "the recent past"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the immediate past", "the last few years", or "recent times".

Is "the recent past" formal or informal?

"The recent past" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How does "the recent past" differ from "the distant past"?

"The recent past" refers to events or periods close to the present, while "the distant past" indicates events or periods that occurred long ago. The distinction is relative to the current time.