adverb
1
BAD : Lately someone told me that the fire was caused by a cigarette.
GOOD : Recently someone told me that the fire was caused by a cigarette.
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Both lately and recently refer to a period of time that begins in the past and continues until now (the moment of speaking): 'Just lately/recently I have been wondering whether to look for a new job.'
Recently is also used to refer to a point in time: 'Just recently she applied for a new job.'
2
BAD : One of the best films that I saw lately is 'Hook'.
GOOD : One of the best films that I've seen lately is 'Hook'.
BAD : Lately I play a lot of Miles Davis tapes.
GOOD : Lately I've been playing a lot of Miles Davis tapes.
BAD : We have a lot of rain lately.
GOOD : We've had a lot of rain lately.
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Lately is usually used with the present perfect tense: 'I haven't seen much of your sister lately. Has she gone away?'