Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[TALA]

Hi teachers,

I've seen this phrase (written by a native English speaker) : a recent prolonged fall in oil prices.

I'm wondering whether the word "recent" is correct. Because I've seen many phrases using recently, for example, a recently released album.

Thank you

[beancurdturtle]

The word "recent" is correct in the phrase you provide. However "recently" would be used by some as well.

Local vernacular would be the guide for which would be most commonly used.
_________________
Daniel

�Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.�
--Dr. Seuss

[Anuradha Chepur]

In "a recent prolonged fall in oil prices, recent is an adjective describing the noun fall.

In "a recently released album", recently is an adverb describing the verb released.

[CP]

You might also see it written as "a recent, prolonged fall," since you have two adjectives modifying "fall" -- both "recent" and "prolonged." It is correct to separate multiple adjectives with commas that way. But if there is no confusion, the commas are often omitted these days.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[TALA]

Thank you all three teachers.
By the way, can I use "recently"? : a recently prolonged fall in oil prices. Would it make any difference in meaning?

thanks again.

[Anuradha Chepur]

I can't say it's unusable, but "a recently prolonged fall" sounds unnatural with the intended meaning. It's worth musing about. Let's try another example.

1. A recent prolonged illness made him weak.
It's the prolonged illness which was recent.

2. A recently prolonged illness made him weak.
The illness got prolonged recently. (sounds gibberish) So you'd rather say:

3. Recently, a prolonged illness made him weak.

So coming back to your example, maybe you can say:

Recently, a prolonged fall in oil prices increased the consumption.

Any more musers around?

[CP]

I second Dr. Chepur's musings.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[TALA]

Thank you very much teachers!