recently
adv not long ago or before; lately 不久前; 近来
until quite recently 直到不久以前
a recently painted house 最近粉刷过的房子. recently, NOTE ON USAGE 用法
Recently, not long ago, lately indicate that the action spoken about took place in the recent past. *recently、 not long ago、 lately均指最近发生过的事.
1 Recently has the widest use, in positive and negative statements and questions, with the past tense and the present perfect tense *recently用法最广, 可用於肯定式陈述句、 否定式陈述句及疑问句中, 与过去时态和现在完成时态连用
Did she have a party recently? 她最近举办过聚会吗?
They've recently bought a new car. 他们不久前买了一辆新汽车.
2 Not long ago is only used in positive statements with the verb in the past tense *not long ago仅用於肯定式陈述句中, 与动词过去时态连用
They arrived in Britain not long ago/recently. 他们不久以前[最近]到达英国.
It's not long ago that they arrived in Britain. 他们是不久以前到达英国的.
3 Lately is used in questions and negative statements. *lately用於疑问句和否定式陈述句中. In positive statements it is used generally with only, much and a lot. 若用於肯定式陈述句中, 通常与only、 much、 a lot连用. The verb must be in the present perfect tense动词必须用现在完成时态
Have you seen him lately/recently? 你近来[最近]见过他吗?
They haven't written lately/recently. 他们近来[最近]没有写信.
She's only lately/recently begun working here. 她只是近来[最近]才开始在这里工作的.
I've seen a lot of her lately/recently. 我近来[最近]常见到她.
He loved to be told that one of his imaginary products was temporarily out of stock and he would faithfully promise to call again at some future date, but of course he never did.