In the preceding decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In the preceding decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the ten years prior to the current year or a specific point in time. Example: "In the preceding decade, significant advancements were made in technology and science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

In the preceding decade, about one in five races for seats in the State Legislature offered voters one candidate.

The New York Times

In the preceding decade he had written pamphlets blaming the impending war on industrialists, literary figures, politicians and Jews.

The New York Times - Books

In the preceding decade, at least six people had been killed because the audience didn't think their rendition was up to snuff.

The Guardian - Sport

In the preceding decade, $60bn was donated.

BBC

In the preceding decade only 10 such drugs were approved.

Forbes

In the preceding decade, the suicide rate had been dropping.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The Concordance proportion, calculated for twins only, was calculated as: The proportion of older mothers (35 years and over) giving birth to singletons and to multiples increased in the 2000s from the preceding decade in nearly all countries.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

These were based on the precedent of an ambitious series of caves built in the preceding decades at Yungang.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the preceding decades, Balanchine had developed his sharp, modernist, "leotard ballet" style.

The New Yorker

Many poets had turned Christian in the preceding decades, of course; the example of Eliot was there before him.

The New Yorker

That trend continued into the 21st century, though at a markedly slower pace than in the preceding decades.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the preceding decade", ensure the reference point is clear to the reader. Specify the end date of the decade if the context isn't obvious.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "in the preceding decade" with "in the following decade". Always double-check that the timeframe aligns with the intended meaning to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the preceding decade" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify a timeframe. It provides temporal context, indicating that something occurred during the ten years prior to a specific reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

39%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the preceding decade" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to refer to the ten years prior to a specific point in time. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, indicating its frequent presence across various reliable sources. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it serves to provide temporal context and facilitate historical or trend analysis. While various alternatives exist, such as "in the previous decade" or "over the last ten years", "in the preceding decade" maintains a slightly more formal tone suitable for analytical writing. Be mindful to clearly establish the reference point when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the previous decade

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning.

in the past decade

A more succinct way of referring to the previous ten years.

during the prior decade

Substitutes "preceding" with "prior", a close synonym.

over the last ten years

Uses a more direct expression for the same timeframe.

in the decade before that

Offers an alternative way to refer to the ten years prior.

for the last ten years

Focuses on the duration of the ten-year period.

in the decade gone by

Emphasizes the completed nature of the decade.

throughout the prior ten years

Uses a more descriptive and slightly formal tone.

ten years prior

A shortened version, emphasizing the time difference.

in the decade that preceded it

A more verbose way of stating the same timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "in the preceding decade" in a sentence?

You can use "in the preceding decade" to refer to the ten years before a specific point in time. For example, "In the preceding decade, there were significant advancements in renewable energy technologies".

What's a simpler way to say "in the preceding decade"?

Alternatives include "in the previous decade" or "over the last ten years". These options are more direct and easier to understand.

Is it more formal to say "in the preceding decade" or "in the last ten years"?

"In the preceding decade" is generally considered more formal. "In the last ten years" is suitable for most contexts, while the former is best for academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "in the preceding decade" and "in the decade before that"?

While both refer to the same timeframe, "in the preceding decade" is slightly more formal. "In the decade before that" may be used for casual conversation.