In the preceding years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In the preceding years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the years that came before a specific point in time, often in a historical or analytical context. Example: "In the preceding years, the company saw significant growth in its market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the preceding years, Israel had forged alliances with several African states, Uganda among them.

The Guardian

In the preceding years, police had often turned a blind eye to violence against gay men or deliberately ensnared them.

Independent

In the preceding years they gradually work out that the most senior managers in most banks have no idea what is going on in their organisations.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the preceding years it had let working-class voters in traditional Labour strongholds like Glasgow and Dundee slip through its fingers.

The Economist

In the preceding years, the firm had been engaged in a radical, and in some ways disastrous, experiment with a "nonterritorial" office: no one had a desk or any office equipment of his own.

The New Yorker

In the preceding years he had had glandular fever and had been for an operation to remove some sort of gland problem.

BBC

In the preceding years, the Rus' ruler Sviatoslav had conquered Bulgaria, and was now menacing Byzantium as well.

Wikipedia

In the preceding years, Anbar was the scene of brutal fighting between US ground troops and Sunni insurgents, including the Islamic State's predecessor al-Qaeda in Iraq. .

Vice

Deaths from PMA went from 0 or 1 in the preceding years, to 20 in 2012.

The Guardian

This year, it's 25 already, with 20 and 19 in the preceding years.

The Guardian - Sport

Some of the paintings made in the preceding years take on a clinical aspect.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "In the preceding years" to clearly establish a timeframe before a specific event or period you're discussing, providing context for the reader. For better flow in longer sentences, consider placing it at the beginning of the sentence.

Common error

Ensure you're using "in the preceding years" to refer to the period before a specific point in time, not the time after it. 'Preceding' means 'coming before', while 'following' means 'coming after'. Using the wrong term can completely reverse the intended meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In the preceding years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by providing temporal context. It specifies that something occurred during the period leading up to a particular point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "In the preceding years" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase that provides temporal context. Ludwig confirms its correctness and utility in various contexts. It's particularly common in news and media, scientific writing and encyclopedia articles, serving to set the stage for a discussion by referencing events or conditions that occurred before a specified time. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid confusing it with terms like "following", ensure its use for past events, and consider synonyms such as "in prior years" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In previous years

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", a synonym, maintaining similar meaning.

In prior years

Substitutes "preceding" with "prior", offering a slightly more formal tone.

In the years before

Rephrases to emphasize the temporal sequence, using simpler language.

During the prior years

Adds "during" to specify the time frame, slightly altering the emphasis.

In the years leading up to

Highlights the build-up or progression toward a particular event or time.

Before that time

Offers a more general reference to the period before a specific moment.

In the past

Provides a broader, less specific reference to earlier years.

Formerly

A single-word adverb indicating a time in the past, suitable for concise writing.

Previously

Similar to "formerly", but can also imply a sequence of events.

In retrospect

Implies looking back and considering past events, adding a reflective tone.

FAQs

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

Use "In the preceding years" to provide context by referring to the time before a particular event or period. For example, "In the preceding years, the company focused on expanding its market share."

What's a more formal alternative to "In the preceding years"?

A more formal alternative is "in prior years". This substitution maintains a similar meaning while employing slightly more elevated language.

Is there a difference between "In the preceding years" and "In the previous years"?

The phrases "In the preceding years" and "in the previous years" are largely interchangeable. "Preceding" and "previous" are synonyms in this context, so the choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

Can I use "In the preceding years" to talk about the future?

No, "In the preceding years" refers to the past, specifically the years before a certain point. To talk about the years after a point, you could use phrases like "in the following years" or "in the subsequent years".