until comparatively recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'until comparatively recently' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has occurred recently within the context of a longer period of time. For example, "Until comparatively recently, online shopping was not a popular activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Until comparatively recently, only 12 perfect numbers were known.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Until comparatively recently we knew very little about the weather in the cruel Antarctic interior.

The New York Times - Books

We forget, in these postcolonial times, that until comparatively recently the world was replete with empires.

The New York Times - Books

Until comparatively recently, one of the great unanswered questions in science was: where do little eels come from?

The Guardian - Books

Allowing a woman's inheritance to go to her husband was our natural order of things until comparatively recently.

Independent

Known since ancient times, bismuth is one of the first 10 metals discovered by humans, although it wasn't named until comparatively recently (1660 or so).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But only comparatively recently with wine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is the best description of who we are and how we fit in until comparatively recently, that can be found.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And, until relatively recently, they weren't.

The New Yorker

Although xylem hydraulics has been extensively studied, until recently, comparatively little is known quantitatively about the phloem hydraulic network and how it is functionally coupled to the xylem network, particularly in photosynthetic leaves.

Current Opinion in Plant Biology

UNTIL recently, they were rivals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until comparatively recently" to highlight a shift in understanding, practices, or conditions that occurred relatively recently in relation to a broader historical context. It's useful for emphasizing the novelty of a current state.

Common error

Avoid using "until comparatively recently" when describing events that happened many decades ago. The phrase implies a more recent shift, and using it for distant events can diminish its impact and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until comparatively recently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a timeframe leading up to the present or a relatively recent past. It sets a temporal boundary, highlighting a change or realization that occurred in the not-so-distant past. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "until comparatively recently" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a condition or belief that persisted until a relatively recent time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of the time frame you're referencing to ensure it truly represents a recent shift in relation to a broader context. Consider alternatives like "until fairly recently" or "in recent times" to fine-tune the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until fairly recently

Replaces 'comparatively' with 'fairly', slightly reducing the degree of contrast but maintaining the overall meaning.

until quite recently

Substitutes 'comparatively' with 'quite', emphasizing the recency of the change.

in the recent past

Highlights that the event happened in the past, but not distant past.

in recent times

Uses a different structure to convey the idea of something happening recently.

not long ago

Emphasizes the short duration since the change occurred.

up until now

Implies a situation that has changed at the present moment.

in recent years

Focuses on the change happening within the last few years.

only just now

Emphasizes the very recent nature of the change.

in the not-too-distant past

Indicates a period that is neither the present nor the far past.

in recent memory

Indicates the change is within what people can easily recall.

FAQs

How can I use "until comparatively recently" in a sentence?

You can use "until comparatively recently" to indicate that something was true up to a relatively recent point in time. For instance, "Until comparatively recently, scientists believed that the universe was static."

What are some alternatives to "until comparatively recently"?

Some alternatives include "until fairly recently", "in recent times", or "not long ago", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "until comparatively recently" in formal writing?

Yes, "until comparatively recently" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize that a certain condition or understanding has changed relatively recently. Its usage can be found in academic, news, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "until recently" and "until comparatively recently"?

"Until recently" is a more general term. "Until comparatively recently" specifies that the period being discussed is recent in comparison to a larger timeframe, adding a nuance of relative recency. It’s useful when the 'recent' timeframe might be longer than what's typically considered 'recent' in everyday conversation.