until fairly recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until fairly recently" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a change or development in a timeline that just came to be. For example: "Until fairly recently, contact lenses were considered an unnecessary luxury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Until fairly recently that is.

The New York Times

Think about how rare that has been until fairly recently.

The New York Times

It was, until fairly recently, a luxury food".

The New York Times

Until fairly recently, all foreign residents were routinely fingerprinted.

The New York Times

"Politically it would have been suicide, until fairly recently".

The New York Times

Until fairly recently, almost no one was interested in vaccines.

The New York Times

Clicks have dominated the advertising world's spotlight until fairly recently.

The Guardian

Until fairly recently, window washers in China were earthbound.

The New York Times

Until fairly recently it was not too difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

"I never really had a TV until fairly recently.

The Guardian

I'm not pointing fingers: Until fairly recently, I was among the doctors steering families wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until fairly recently" to introduce a contrast between a past situation and the current one. This helps highlight changes and developments over time.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "until fairly recently". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until fairly recently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a timeframe that extends to the near past. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is frequently used to describe shifts or developments that have occurred not long ago. Examples provided by Ludwig highlight its role in contrasting past and present situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until fairly recently" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a change or development that has occurred in the near past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is commonly found in news and media sources, as well as in scientific and business contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is essential to vary sentence structure to avoid overuse. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "not long ago" or "in the recent past" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just recently

This highlights the immediacy of the change, suggesting it happened very close to the present.

not long ago

This alternative is less formal and emphasizes the short duration since the change.

in the recent past

This option provides a more descriptive and slightly more formal way to indicate a change that occurred not too long ago.

in recent times

This phrase gives a broader sense of the 'recent' period, without specifying exactly when the change happened.

until now

Similar to 'up to now', but can also carry a slightly stronger sense of surprise or contrast.

up to now

This implies a continuous state until the present, with a change occurring right at the current moment.

previously

This option is more formal and highlights that something was true or existed before a certain point.

formerly

This emphasizes a past state or condition, implying a clear change to the present.

in the past few years

This is a more specific alternative, pinpointing the change to have occurred within the last few years.

earlier

This is a shorter and more general way of indicating something was different at a previous time.

FAQs

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

You can use "until fairly recently" to indicate that a situation or trend has changed in the near past. For example, "Until fairly recently, that might have seemed like pure Silicon Valley hype".

What's a more formal way to say "until fairly recently"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "in the recent past" or "previously".

Is "until fairly recently" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "until fairly recently" is suitable for academic writing as it is a clear and concise way to indicate a shift or change over time. However, ensure that your sources support the statement you are making.

What are some common synonyms for "until fairly recently"?

Some common synonyms include "not long ago", "just recently", and "in recent times". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality required.