Definition

Adverb 1. At a time not long ago; in the near past: Used to indicate that an action, event, or state occurred or began a short time before the present moment. 2. Lately; of late: Used to describe a period of time extending from the recent past up to the present.

Usage

The adverb "recently" is used to modify verbs, verb phrases, or entire sentences to specify that the action or situation happened in the recent past. It is typically placed before the main verb (except the verb "to be") or at the beginning or end of a clause.

Examples

• She recently started a new job.
• Have you seen any good movies recently?
• Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about climate change.
• I haven't heard from him recently.
• The company recently announced its quarterly results.

Advanced Usage

• "Only recently": Emphasizes that something happened a very short time ago.
  • I only recently realized my mistake.
• "Until recently" / "Up until recently": Indicates that a situation was true in the near past but has now changed.
  • Until recently, this area was mostly farmland.
• "As recently as": Used to emphasize how recent an event was, often with a specific time expression.
  • We met for coffee as recently as last week.

Variants and Related Words

• Recent (adjective): Happening or beginning in a period not long before the present.
  • Recent developments in technology.
• Recency (noun): The state or quality of being recent.

Synonyms

• Lately: In the recent past; not long ago. (Often used interchangeably with "recently," especially in questions and negative statements).
• Of late: In the recent past; lately. (Slightly more formal).
• Newly: Very recently; freshly.
• Freshly: Very recently; newly.

Notes on Usage

• Tense Compatibility: "Recently" is commonly used with the present perfect tense (e.g., ) or the simple past tense (e.g., ). The present perfect often emphasizes a connection to the present.
• Position: While often placed before the main verb, "recently" can also be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence for stylistic variation or emphasis.

Adverb

1. in the recent past
   • he was in Paris recently
   • lately the rules have been enforced
   • as late as yesterday she was fine
   • feeling better of late
   • the spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also