Question :Difference between recently and lately

[sxchen36]

My American friend told me that it's better to say "I've been a little bit busy LATELY" than to say "I've been a little bit busy RECENTLY". But when I look up them in the dictionary, it seems like they share the same meaning...

So could anyone tell me the difference and show me some examples, please ? Thanks~I'll appreciate your help!;-)

 

[BobSmith]

[AmE - not a teacher]

I can't tell you why, but "lately" to me gives a clue that it's been this way for a while, and up through now, and quite possibly in to the future. "Recently" to me sounds like it has happened only in the immediate past, and may not continue.

1: Why so blue*?
2: I don't know, I've been sad lately.
3: Is it because your dog died recently?
2: I'm sure that's part of it.

*3a : low in spirits : melancholy
Blue - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

 

[Tdol]

They both sound fine to me. (BrE speaker)

 

[philo2009]

While both adverbs can modify a present perfect tense VP, only 'recently' can modify a preterite VP, thus

I've been ill recently.
I fell ill recently.
I've been ill lately.

are acceptable, but

*I fell ill lately.

is not.

 

[sxchen36]

Wow~ Thank you very much!~
You've given a readily understandable explanation. (I'm trying to practice present perfect more often. haha~)
That's very kind of you.

 

[sxchen36]

Ha~ so the slight difference only exist in American English~ Thanks a lot anyway

They both sound fine to me. (BrE speaker)

 

[sxchen36]

Thank you for your kindly reminding. That helps also!~

While both adverbs can modify a present perfect tense VP, only 'recently' can modify a preterite VP, thus

I've been ill recently.
I fell ill recently.
I've been ill lately.

are acceptable, but

*I fell ill lately.

is not.