Recently and Lately

Recently and Lately – What’s the Difference?

Hello English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we’re going to look at two small but very common time words that often confuse learners: recently and lately.

At first glance, they seem almost identical. Both talk about the near past. Both often appear with the present perfect. And both are extremely common in everyday English. But here’s the twist: they focus on time in slightly different ways. Once you understand this difference, your English will immediately sound more natural and more precise.

Let’s break it down.

Recently

Recently talks about something that happened not long ago. It usually focuses on one specific action or a small number of actions. Think of recently as pointing to a fresh event or a new change. It is very often used with the present perfect.

Meaning: not long ago; in the near past (often focusing on a particular event or change)

• He’s recently moved to a new city.
• I’ve recently finished reading that book.
• She’s recently learned how to play the guitar.
• I’ve recently discovered a great new restaurant in town.
• The local library has recently introduced a new online catalogue.

In all these sentences, we’re talking about a specific new thing that happened not long ago.

Lately

Lately talks about what has been happening over a period of time in the near past. It often suggests a trend, a repeated action, or a continuing situation. Think of lately as meaning: “in the last days/weeks/months” or “these days”.

It is very commonly used with the present perfect simple, or the present perfect continuous.

Meaning: during a recent period of time, up to now

• He has been feeling tired lately.
• Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my career.
• Lately, I’ve been trying out new recipes to improve my cooking.
• She’s been more focused at work lately, which is great to see.
• Lately, we’ve noticed more community events in the neighbourhood.

Here, we’re not talking about one single moment, but about a general situation or pattern over time.

The difference in one simple idea

Recently → focuses on a specific new event or change

Lately → focuses on a general trend or repeated situation over a period of time

Compare:

I’ve recently changed my job. – One clear, specific change.

I’ve been working a lot lately. – A general situation over a period of time.

Quick summary

Recently = something happened not long ago (often one specific event)

Lately = something has been happening over a period of time up to now

Exam tip (B2–C1)

Using recently and lately correctly in writing and speaking helps you sound more natural and precise, show better control of time expressions, and avoid vague language in Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced).