until pretty recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until pretty recently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time period that extends up to a short time ago, often implying that something has changed since then. Example: "Until pretty recently, I believed that the project would be completed on time, but now I have my doubts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

That was unthinkable until pretty recently".

The New York Times

Until pretty recently, the consensus among economists and investors was that this policy was generally working.

The New Yorker

The party of Disraeli, Britain's only Jewish prime minister, was until pretty recently shunned by Jews.

The Economist

Until pretty recently, I hadn't realized that Christie was once a lobbyist.

The New Yorker

Even Jared Bernstein, a liberal economist who until pretty recently worked for Vice-President Joe Biden, was skeptical.

The New Yorker

Until pretty recently, dolls led simple lives, said Deanna Korth, director of the Toy Town Museum in East Aurora, N.Y.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Pretty good, given that until fairly recently, Mr. France's main connection to the entertainment industry was via his partner of 18 years, Jonathan Starch, a producer at "Law & Order: SVU".

The New York Times

Until fairly recently, 19-year-old Inocente Izucar had pretty much the shittiest childhood imaginable.

Vice

UNTIL recently it had seemed pretty clear that it was getting easier to be a gay politician in Britain.

The Economist

Workday, until recently pretty much a pure-play SaaS provider, recently said its customers have become increasingly insistent on the creation and extension of a Workday platform (PaaS) to allow for applications to be created, extended, and configured.

Forbes

UNTIL recently, they were rivals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until pretty recently" to indicate a change or shift in circumstances that has occurred in the near past. This implies a contrast with the present situation.

Common error

Avoid using "until pretty recently" when you need to specify a precise timeframe. The word 'pretty' introduces a degree of vagueness, so use more specific terms if accuracy is essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until pretty recently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something was true or valid. It specifies a period extending up to a short time ago. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until pretty recently" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that something was the case up to a short time ago. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While it introduces a degree of vagueness, it effectively highlights a recent change or shift. For more formal or precise writing, consider alternatives like "until very recently" or "in the recent past".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until very recently

Emphasizes the short duration since the change occurred.

until just recently

Highlights the recency of the change in a slightly more casual tone.

up until recently

Focuses on the period leading to the present, implying a break or alteration.

not long ago

Offers a broader sense of timeframe, less precise than the original phrase.

in the recent past

More formal and emphasizes that the period is definitively over.

formerly

Indicates a state or condition that existed at an unspecified time before now.

previously

Similar to 'formerly', but slightly more common in professional contexts.

until lately

A more old-fashioned phrasing with a similar meaning.

in earlier times

Signifies a shift from a period in the past, but can be less precise.

before now

States simply that something was true at some point prior to the present.

FAQs

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

Use "until pretty recently" to indicate something was true or common up to a short time ago, but is no longer the case. For example, "Until pretty recently, I thought remote work was not effective."

What are some alternatives to "until pretty recently"?

You can use alternatives like "until very recently", "up until recently", or "not long ago" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "until pretty recently" is more suited to neutral or informal contexts. For formal writing, consider "in the recent past" or "previously".

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

"Until recently" indicates a more general timeframe, while "until pretty recently" suggests a shorter, more immediate period leading up to the present moment. The addition of 'pretty' emphasizes the recency.