Recently: not long ago

The idea

Use recently with the past simple or present perfect when appropriate: I recently read a book; She has recently started a job. It can also appear at the end of a question.

Examples

• I recently read a book about gardens.
• She has recently started a new job.
• Have you spoken to your teacher recently?
• We visited the museum recently.
• The station has recently changed its opening hours.
• He recently moved to a nearby town.

Watch out

Recently indicates recency, not a fixed number of days; context determines the period.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the word for a time not long before now. Not long ago, I read a book; I read it ___. (recently / tomorrow)

   Show answer or example answer

   recently

   Recently refers to a time before now.

2. Choose the adverb after has. She has ___ started a new job. (recently / recent)

   Show answer or example answer

   recently

   After has, recently can precede the past participle.

3. Choose the adverb at the end of a recent-experience question. Have you spoken to your teacher ___? (recently / recent)

   Show answer or example answer

   recently

   Recently can stand at the end of the question.

Use it today

Describe something you did recently and ask another person a recent-experience question.