Question

What's the difference between recently and lately

Answer 1

Although "lately" and "recently" are nearly synonyms, they are different in way they are used.

If an action is habitual or repetitive, either word is fine; in that case, "lately" and "recently" can be used interchangeably:

"Crimes against grammar have decreased by 32% lately/recently."

"Lately/Recently, there has been a spike in people's interest in the Oxford comma."

But for unique actions orevents, use "recently" instead of "lately" (The latter sounds awkward).

"My cousin had a baby recently." (Right)

"My cousin had a baby lately." (Wrong)

Answer 2

Recently is used for something that has already happened and lately is for an ongoing event.

Answer 3

I guess RECENTLY means something that has been doing at the moment. Ex. I have worked on this project recently.

But LATELY means that you have done something for some period of time. Ex. I have eaten healthy lately because the doctor asked me to do it.

Answer 4

I think 'Recently' refers to something that happened in no time ago and 'lately' refers to something that has being happening since an specific recent time until now.

Answer 5

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

LATELY : in the recent period of time

When used with pr. perfect, the difference is mainly structural. While they can both be positioned at the beginning or end of a sentence, only "recently" can split the verb (i.e. "have recently taken").

When it comes to s. past, as there is the slight difference in meaning, "recently" sounds natural, while "lately" doesn't.