until recently 是直到最近的意思,后面一般用过去时态,因为直到最近也是过去 
如:But until recently,few were aware of the impact those choices had on the environment
recently的用法:
The problem is that catalysts and membranes have been expensive until recently
主句为肯定句,谓语为延续性动词,until状语表示动作或状态的终止时间点。即一直昂贵的价格最近便宜了。现在不贵了。
如果主句为否定句,谓语为非延续性动词,until表示没有作某事的状态的终止时间点。即在这个时间点,主句的非延续性动词发生了。翻译为“直到最近某事才发生
until recently修饰一个状态,这个状态到recently(最近)终止。一般句子中用的是not…until…,not…通常是状态终止后的一个新的状态。
例:
He didn't do his homework until nine o'clock.直到九点,他才不再做作业。