The previous week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "The previous week" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the week immediately before the current one, often in contexts discussing events or activities that occurred during that time. Example: "The previous week, we had a team meeting to discuss our project progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The previous week, his team lost at Troy.

The New York Times - Sports

The previous week was the only one smaller.

The New York Times

The previous week he survived the threat of a strike.

The Guardian - Sport

The previous week had an increase of 4.1percentt.

The New York Times

The previous week they had been in Montreal.

The New York Times

The previous week he had ended 2010 on a high.

Independent

The previous week, she had sold 1,846.

BBC

The previous week, my parents had been visiting.

Huffington Post

Highlights from the previous week.

The New York Times

We had it the previous week".

The New York Times - Sports

(That happened the previous week).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, "The previous week" provides a clear and professional way to reference a specific period, especially when comparing data or events across time.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe being referenced to prevent confusion. For instance, avoid using it at the beginning of a document without establishing a reference point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "The previous week" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time frame. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts where events or data are being compared across different weeks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "The previous week" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for referencing the week immediately before the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various domains, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "last week" exist, "The previous week" offers clarity and precision, particularly in formal contexts. Be mindful to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Remember that "The previous week" and "The following week" are opposites.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Last week

A more concise and commonly used alternative.

The week before

Slightly more descriptive, emphasizing sequence.

A week prior

More formal and emphasizes precedence.

The week preceding this one

Highly formal and explicit about the time frame.

The week gone by

More informal, emphasizing completion.

The immediately preceding week

Emphasizes the direct sequence and proximity in time.

Seven days ago

Quantifies the time passed, making it specific.

The week that just ended

Highlights the recency of the week.

The week in the past

Simple way of indicating that the week has already ended.

The week before last

Refers to the week before the previous one, indicating an earlier time.

FAQs

What's a simple substitute for "The previous week"?

A simple substitute for "The previous week" is "last week", which is often more concise and easier to understand.

How does "The previous week" compare to "The following week"?

"The previous week" refers to the week before the current one, while "The following week" refers to the week after the current one. They are opposites in terms of time reference.

Is "The previous week" formal or informal?

"The previous week" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual settings, "last week" might be preferred.

Can I use "The week before" instead of "The previous week"?

Yes, "The week before" is a valid alternative to "The previous week". It conveys the same meaning and is widely accepted.