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Snappy Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Lately/Recently in present tense
In my understanding "lately" and "recently" are used in the present perfect or past tense.
Do you ever say, "I am busy lately/recently"?
Do you ever say, "I am busy lately/recently"?
Top answer
I recently had a phone call from Mary. [ok for past tense] I've been busy lately. [ok with present perfect] I'm busy recently.
- I recently had a phone call from Mary.
- [ok for past tense] I've been busy lately.
- [ok with present perfect] I'm busy recently.
- ]
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3 Answers
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I recently had a phone call from Mary. [ok for past tense]
I've been busy lately. [ok with present perfect]
I'm busy recently. [I've heard it, but I don't think I'd ever consider it correct...informal, at best.]
I've been busy lately. [ok with present perfect]
I'm busy recently. [I've heard it, but I don't think I'd ever consider it correct...informal, at best.]
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Lately is an adverb which happens to add a descriptive element having to do with time.
Lately further describes the action as occurring or having occurred in the past right up to, but not necessarily including, the present time.
"I have been busy, lately."
It is a little more common to use recently with the past tense. Recently simply adds
the information that the action occurred
Lately further describes the action as occurring or having occurred in the past right up to, but not necessarily including, the present time.
"I have been busy, lately."
It is a little more common to use recently with the past tense. Recently simply adds
the information that the action occurred
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