In preceding years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In preceding years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to years that came before the current one, often in a context discussing trends, changes, or events over time. Example: "In preceding years, the company has seen significant growth in its market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

In preceding years, private blogs and social platforms — LiveJournal, Blogspot, Facebook — trained people to write about their personal lives at length and in public.

The New Yorker

In preceding years, the Tawakoni and Waco tribes, allied with various Comanche bands, had regularly raided Texas settlements.

Wikipedia

In preceding years, this centre has been the focus of text messaging research [ 18, 20, 32].

BMC Health Services Research

In preceding years, in Germany only 2 8 HA cases were reported after travel to Egypt with disease onset between July 10 and September 8.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Profits fell in 2008 because they had been overstated in preceding years.

The Economist

But they note that, although the day is perhaps more welcome than in preceding years, it isn't all that different.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

80.1% of CM reported ¡Ý1 MLE in preceding year vs 78.6% of EM.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

76.5% of CM reported ¡Ý1 SLE in preceding year vs 71.4% of EM.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The number of hospital admission in preceding year was also positively associated with DM.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

However, the number of hospital admission in preceding year is positively but not significantly associated with DM (Table  2).

BMC Endocrine Disorders

I'd been in England in the preceding years, yet I was fairly sure I hadn't broken any vases.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in preceding years" to provide context or comparison to current trends or data. It helps highlight changes or continuities over time.

Common error

Avoid using "in preceding years" when the temporal context is already clear. Redundancy can make your writing less concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in preceding years" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjunct of time. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred, relative to a reference point (usually the present). Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in preceding years" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to refer to years before the present. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is appropriate in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is particularly useful for providing temporal context, establishing trends, or comparing past situations with the present. While alternatives such as "in previous years" or "in earlier years" exist, "in preceding years" maintains a neutral to formal tone and effectively conveys the intended meaning. Remember to avoid overuse in redundant contexts and ensure clarity when comparing past and present scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in previous years

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning and grammatical structure.

in earlier years

Substitutes "preceding" with "earlier", indicating a time in the past before the current year.

in prior years

Uses "prior" instead of "preceding", conveying the same temporal relationship.

in the years before

Changes the structure slightly while keeping the meaning of referring to past years.

in the past years

Emphasizes that the years are in the past, similar to "preceding years".

in former years

Replaces "preceding" with "former", suggesting years that came before the present.

in times past

More figurative and less precise, but still refers to the past.

historically

A single-word adverb indicating something that happened in the past.

before now

A more general way of saying "in the past", applicable in various contexts.

in retrospect

Implies looking back at past years from the present, with a reflective tone.

FAQs

How can I use "In preceding years" in a sentence?

Use "In preceding years" to refer to events, trends, or data from years before the current one. For example, "In preceding years, the company's revenue growth was significantly lower than it is now."

What are some alternatives to "In preceding years"?

You can use alternatives like "in previous years", "in earlier years", or "in prior years" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "in preceding years" or "in the preceding years"?

Both "in preceding years" and "in the preceding years" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How does "in preceding years" differ from "in the following years"?

"In preceding years" refers to years that came before a specific point in time, while "in the following years" refers to years that come after a specific point in time. They represent opposite directions in time.