recent与recently的词性分别为形容词和副词，含义为“近来；最近，近日，不久前”，相对应的“近来”的含义对应着现在完成（进行）时态；当然“不久前、最近”对应于过去（进行）时态；until recently的含义是“直到不久前，不久前”等。
recent(ly)通常可用于五种时态
1）一般过去时；
2）现在完成时；（这也是2016年高考英语真题的考点）
3）现在完成进行时；
4）过去进行时；
5）一般现在时，如be, seem等。
第1：recent(ly)用于一般过去时：
《COBUILD柯林斯 英汉双解词典》辛克莱著第1612页recently词条
It is only quite recently that I started painting. 我只是最近才开始从事绘画的。
《麦克米伦高阶英汉双解词典》第1720页recently词条
recently: adv, at a time that was not long ago or that started not long ago最近；近来
She only recently discovered the truth. 她最近才发现真相。
《麦克米伦高阶英汉双解词典》第1720页recent词条
recent: adj, happening or starting a short time ago最近的；不久前的
a recent discovery/survey/study最近的发现/调查/研究
It was the highest election turnout in recent memory.
这是近年来选举中投票人数最多的一次。
第2：recent(ly)用于现在完成时或现在完成进行时：
《葛传槼英语惯用法词典》第475页recently词条5.
recently可与修饰属于完成时态或过去时态的动词。例如：
I (have) heard from him recently.
《新概念英语》第二册第58课 A blessing in disguise? 是因祸得福吗？
The tree was planted near a church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent yearsthat it has gained an evil reputation.
后半句事实上是个强调句，可理解为that it has gained an evil reputation only in recent years. 这里把recent对应于现在完成时源于此。
这也是2016年考查的一个重点：in recent years常常与现在完成时匹配使用。
《柯林斯高阶英汉双解学习词典》第2179页recently词条
It is only fairly recently that historians have begun to investigate the question.
只是到最近历史学家才开始探究这个问题。
《英汉多功能学习词典》第1208页recently词条
recently最近，新近；近来
I saw (have seen) him recently. 我最近看见过他。
We haven’t played baseball recently. 我们近来没有打棒球。
（英）和（美）都在过去时、现在完成时或现在完成进行时中用，通常不在现在时中用。
《COBUILD柯林斯 英汉双解词典》辛克莱著第1612页recently词条
I haven’t heard from her recently. 近来我没有接到她的信。
I wonder whether he’s been writing recently. 我不知道他近来是否还在写作。
老版《新概念英语》第三册第47课 Through the earth’s crust
Until recently, scientists have been unable to devise a drill which would be capable of cutting through hard rock at great depths.
《麦克米伦高阶英汉双解词典》第1720页recent词条
in recent years/decades/months
Business has boomed in recent years. 最近几年生意一直很兴隆。
第3：recent(ly)用于过去进行时：
《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》第八版第1711页recently词条
Until recently they were living in York. 他们不久前还住在约克。
《新概念英语》第二册第35课 Stop thief! 捉贼！
When he was driving along Catford Street recently, he saw two thieves rush out of a shop and run towards a waiting car.
第4：recent(ly)用于一般现在时如be, seem等的一般现在时
《英汉多功能学习词典》第1208页recent词条
Is the magazine a recent one? 这本杂志是最新的一期吗？
新版《新概念英语》第三册第38课The first calendar最早的日历
Recent scientific evidence seems to indicate that this assumption is incorrect.
《麦克米伦高阶英汉双解词典》第1720页recently词条
recently: adv, at a time that was not long ago or that started not long ago最近；近来
Recently, though, she seems to have run out of energy.
然而，最近她好像已经精疲力竭了。
目前我们中高考英语的考点在于：recent(ly)多用于一般过去时和现在完成时。
2016年11月15日记