These past months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "These past months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific period of time that has recently occurred, typically indicating a duration of several months leading up to the present. Example: "These past months have been challenging, but I have learned a lot from the experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These past months, she says, have been agonizing.

The New York Times

"These past months I really have begun to understand how we are the most fragile part of society," said Mona Seif, Abd El Fattah's sister and herself a well-known human rights activist.

The Guardian

Thesearticle originally apastred on VICE US.

Vice

But the President has changed in these past months.

The New Yorker

"The electorate has stuck firmly to its preferences over these past months," he said.

The Guardian

Median incomes have not just stagnated these past months, but have gone backwards.

The Guardian

But we sure wouldn't know that from the way you've acted these past months.

The New York Times

In these past months, her mind would quite often submerge like this in her surroundings.

The New Yorker

If you took care of him in these past months, you were rewarded.

The New Yorker

He did not visit Nkosi in these past months, although his wife, Zanele, did.

The New York Times

To those paying close attention these past months, Mr. Gates' salvo came as no surprise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "These past months", ensure the context clearly indicates the starting and ending point of the period you are referring to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "These past months" without providing sufficient context. Be specific about the period to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "These past months" functions as a time adverbial, specifying a period of time preceding the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating when something occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "These past months" is a grammatically correct and frequently used time adverbial that specifies a period leading up to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and widely applicable. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to provide temporal context, useful in setting the stage in a discussion. Consider alternatives like "the last few months" or "recently" for similar meanings. Ensure the context is clear when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity, and avoid using it in singular form such as this past months.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The preceding months

Replaces 'past' with 'preceding', focusing on the order of events.

The last few months

Uses a more casual tone by including 'few'.

In recent months

Adds 'in' to the start of the sentence, changing the word order but maintaining meaning.

Over the last months

Switches "these past" with "over the last".

The previous months

Replaces 'past' with 'previous', indicating a time before the present.

The last several months

Replaces "few" with "several", indicating an indefinite number of months.

Recently

A simpler phrase that means the same.

During recent months

Adds "during", focusing on the time period.

The months before now

Describes the time period in relation to the present moment.

In the months just gone

Uses a more descriptive and less direct way of referring to the recent past.

FAQs

How do I use "These past months" in a sentence?

You can use "These past months" to refer to a period of time leading up to the present. For example, "These past months have been challenging."

What's the difference between "These past months" and "The last few months"?

While both phrases refer to a recent period, "These past months" might suggest a slightly more extended or defined period than "The last few months", which is more casual. Semantically they are very similar.

What can I say instead of "These past months"?

You can use alternatives like "The last few months", "recently", or "in recent months depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "This past months" instead of "These past months"?

No, "This past months" is grammatically incorrect. The plural demonstrative pronoun "These" should be used with the plural noun "months".