very lately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very lately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has happened very recently or just a short time ago. Example: "I have very lately discovered a new passion for painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Until very lately, American philologians kept aloof from the subject, which they apparently regarded as low.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No university, till very lately, was plonked down in virgin countryside.

The Economist

Yet even upon this shadowed terrain sunlight had very lately sparkled.

The New Yorker

(Mitt Romney's "forty-seven per cent," which is the same figure that the Nixon campaign complained about in 1972, has very lately risen, in the populist imagination, to forty-nine per cent).

The New Yorker

A noted essayist is here a walker in the city -- or, more precisely, along its outer edges -- ruminating as he goes on the history, architecture and inhabitants of a water-ringed metropolis that until very lately was a bustling port.

The New York Times - Books

Very lately a friend from Spain had been on a visit to him – from the pure and smokeless air of Madrid, and he felt that the smoke of this country would be so shocking to his feelings that he (Sir William) considered an apology for it necessary.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I haven't felt very materialistic lately.

The New York Times

Business has been very bad lately".

The New Yorker

"He's played very well lately".

The New York Times - Sports

"But they've been very aggressive lately," Mr. Mohamed said.

The New York Times

Atlético hadn't always been very Atlético lately.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very lately" to indicate something that occurred in the immediate past, but not necessarily in the present moment. This distinguishes it from "just now" or "at this moment".

Common error

Avoid using "very lately" when "very recently" would be more appropriate. "Very recently" is often preferred as it's more common and easily understood by a wider audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very lately" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating when an action occurred. Based on Ludwig's analysis, it specifies that an event took place in the immediate past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very lately" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that something has occurred very recently. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources such as news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While semantically similar to phrases like "very recently" or "just recently", "very lately" provides a distinct nuance. Though its usage is correct, keep in mind that other similar phrases can be easier to interpret for a wider audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very recently

Focuses on the recency of the event, similar to "very lately" but is more common.

just recently

Emphasizes the short time that has passed since the event occurred.

in recent times

Implies a period covering the recent past, rather than a specific point in time.

of late

A more formal way of saying "lately", suggesting a trend or pattern over a short period.

in the past few days

Specifies a very short timeframe, making it more precise than "very lately".

not long ago

Highlights that the event is still fresh in memory.

in the recent past

Similar to "in recent times", but can emphasize the completion of the event.

in recent weeks

Extends the timeframe to weeks, useful when precision is not required.

in the short term

Focuses on implications or consequences that are still unfolding.

just now

This emphasizes the immediate past, something that has happened in the most recent moment.

FAQs

What does "very lately" mean?

"Very lately" means very recently or in the immediate past. It's used to describe something that happened a short time ago.

What are some alternatives to "very lately"?

Some alternatives to "very lately" include "very recently", "just recently", or "of late".

How formal is the phrase "very lately"?

The phrase "very lately" is relatively formal. Alternatives like "just recently" or "very recently" may be more appropriate for informal contexts.

Is "very lately" the same as "lately"?

While both "very lately" and "lately" refer to the recent past, "very lately" emphasizes that something happened in the more immediate past than simply "lately".