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TinaMr Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
Recently vs. lately
Are "recently" and "lately" interchangeable? Is there any difference in their meanings?
Top answer
In the absence of any context, I would say there wasn't much difference between them. Choosing one over the other seems to be a matter of style or personal preference, so it all comes down to deciding which sounds better in the particular sentence that you are composing.
- In the absence of any context, I would say there wasn't much difference between them.
- Choosing one over the other seems to be a matter of style or personal preference, so it all comes down to deciding which sounds better in the particular sentence that you are composing.
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6 Answers
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In the absence of any context, I would say there wasn't much difference between them. Choosing one over the other seems to be a matter of style or personal preference, so it all comes down to deciding which sounds better in the particular sentence that you are composing.
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In some cases, I use "recently" for a past event, and "lately" for an ongoing event.
I recently had a dental appointment.
Lately, I've been flossing more.
I recently had a dental appointment.
Lately, I've been flossing more.
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Thank you, Vorpar! I thought the present perfect is needed in such cases: "I've had a dental appointment recently".
Based on your answer, I got impression that maybe, "recently" is used for a one-time event and "lately" for several events. Am I right?
Based on your answer, I got impression that maybe, "recently" is used for a one-time event and "lately" for several events. Am I right?
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VorparIn some cases, I use "recently" for a past event, and "lately" for an ongoing event.I recently had a dental appointment.Lately, I've been flossing more.Good distinction!
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I thought the present perfect is needed in such cases: "I've had a dental appointment recently".
Not necessary, only if the context connects the past with the present.
Based on your answer, I got impression that maybe, "recently" is used for a one-time event and "lately" for several events. Am I right?
Yes.
Not necessary, only if the context connects the past with the present.
Based on your answer, I got impression that maybe, "recently" is used for a one-time event and "lately" for several events. Am I right?
Yes.
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