until quite recently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until quite recently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened recently but not anymore. For example, "Until quite recently, I was working for ABC Corporation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

UNTIL quite recently, pensions mattered to two small and politically uninteresting minorities: actuaries and old people.

The Economist

Mobile phones were banned until quite recently.

Independent

"Life here was brutal until quite recently.

The Guardian - Arts

It was actually quite a robust population until quite recently.

Yale University

And until quite recently, no one thought that it did.

Cornell University

Until quite recently Lusaka had no shopping malls.

The Economist

Until quite recently, most political scientists shared De Tocqueville's view.

The Economist

He seemed until quite recently to be doing reasonably well.

The Economist

Until quite recently, that question was difficult to answer.

The New Yorker

"Nobody thought it was unconstitutional until quite recently".

The New York Times

Until quite recently, he taught at Columbia University.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until quite recently" to indicate a situation that has changed in the near past. This phrase is suitable for describing trends, habits, or conditions that were true until a short time ago.

Common error

Avoid using "until quite recently" when referring to events that happened a long time ago. This phrase implies a change within a relatively short period, not distant history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until quite recently" functions as an adverbial modifier of time, indicating when a certain state or action was valid. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is used correctly across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until quite recently" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that a certain condition or belief was true up to a short time ago. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources, including news, academic, and scientific publications. The phrase functions to establish a temporal boundary, introducing a change or new perspective. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring that the timeframe aligns with the intended meaning of recent change. Be aware that alternatives like "until very recently" or "not long ago" can provide nuanced variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until comparatively recently

Replaces "quite" with "comparatively", emphasizing a slightly more formal tone.

until fairly recently

Substitutes "quite" with "fairly", indicating a similar degree of recency.

until very recently

Replaces "quite" with "very", intensifying the sense of recency.

until just recently

Uses "just" instead of "quite", providing a more casual and immediate feel.

until lately

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the recent past without specifying degree.

not long ago

Offers a less formal and more general expression of recent time.

in recent times

Shifts the focus to a period of time rather than a specific point.

in the recent past

Similar to "in recent times" but slightly more specific.

up until now

Highlights the contrast between the past and the present moment.

previously

Provides a simple and direct way to refer to a time before the present.

FAQs

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

You can use "until quite recently" to describe a situation or condition that was true in the near past but has since changed. For example, "Until quite recently I believed that coffee was bad for me."

What are some alternatives to "until quite recently"?

Alternatives to "until quite recently" include "until very recently", "until fairly recently", "not long ago", or "in the recent past". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality desired.

Is "until quite recently" formal or informal?

"Until quite recently" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "until comparatively recently" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

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

The addition of "quite" in "until quite recently" intensifies the recency, suggesting that the change or event happened very recently. "Until recently" implies a more general timeframe, while "until quite recently" emphasizes the newness of the situation.