Monday, August 11, 2014

difference between lately and recently

lately - (сүүлийн үед) 'Lately' generally refers to something that has (had) been going on for some time (e.g. the weather - 'very wet lately' etc), not to a specific incident. 
  • i think "lately" refers to a longer period than "recently"
recently - (саяхан)'Recently' can refer to a specific moment (an accident etc) or to something that had been going on for some time (but usually has now stopped)

What's the difference between "lately" and "recently"?
(I study English. I heard that I can say " she recently had an accident." but I cannot say" she lately had an accident." why cannot say lately in the sentence? What's the difference between lately and reently? 
Thank you!)




  • Lately refers to a repeated action."Lately, the dog has been barking." As in the dog has been barking for an extended period of time. Recently is a one time thing unless expressed contrary in the sentence. "Recently I've been thinking about getting a dog." You need to add words that explicitly state it is continuous, or it is thought to be a one time thing. "She recently had an accident" as you said. One accident in the past.

  • 'Recently' can refer to a specific moment (an accident etc) or to something that had been going on for some time (but usually has now stopped). 'Lately' generally refers to something that has (had) been going on for some time (e.g. the weather - 'very wet lately' etc), not to a specific incident. It's just a matter of usage, which can only be really learned by reading and listening widely to English from many sources.

  • recently 

    during the period of time that has just passed : not long ago 

    "More recently, he's appeared in a number of British films." 

    lately 

    a short while ago 

    The spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also". 

    Though both are synonymous, lately emphasizes on immediate past.

  • I think lately is more in the past. 
    "I've been thinking lately" 
    "I've been thinking recently" 

    Recently would be more presently, while lately would be more of the past; hence the 'late'.

  • i think "lately" refers to a longer period than "recently"

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