during the next several months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the next several months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time period that will occur in the upcoming months, often in the context of planning or forecasting. Example: "We expect to see significant progress in our project during the next several months as we implement the new strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

This is the first in a series of essays that will appear during the next several months.

The New York Times - Books

But during the next several months, as they continued to discuss the proposal, Zell saw a chance to create the most ambitious deal of his career.

The New Yorker

It is vital that this response continue during the next several months, even as the victims' stories recede from the front pages.

The New York Times

But during the next several months, the commission will meet with inspectors, developers, homeowners and state and local officials to devise recommendations to strengthen the system.

The New York Times

An accord on how allied forces will continue to operate in the country after an Iraqi government takes office is to be negotiated during the next several months.

The New York Times

American and Iraqi officials have said they expect violence to increase during the next several months when the United States is scheduled to withdraw all its troops.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

He maintained an upbeat tone over the next several months, during which two large subprime lenders, New Century Financial Corp. and American Home Mortgage, filed for bankruptcy, and the damage spread to Wall Street firms that had invested in subprime securities.

The New Yorker

Ms. Pouw said the ad "would appear on prominent Web sites and air during prime time TV programs over the next several months," and was shown 16 times an hour on a digital billboard in Times Square in December.

The New York Times

Mr. Looney said new deficit options could include using more of the state's $1.4 billion budget reserve; increasing some state fees this year instead of during the coming fiscal year; and raising the cigarette tax in the next several months.

The New York Times

We dated for the next several months.

The New York Times

The next several months will be the test of that.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the next several months", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting point from which the 'next' months are being counted. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "during the next several months" when referring to events that have already begun. This phrase is best suited for prospective or future actions. Ensure the actions described are clearly positioned in the future, not partially in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the next several months" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the time frame in which an action or event will occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression in English. It modifies a verb or clause by providing a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the next several months" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a timeframe in the near future. As Ludwig AI points out, its use is generally accepted. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to specify the period in which actions or events are expected to unfold. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the starting point of the timeframe. Alternatives such as "in the coming months" or "over the next few months" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Pay attention to the temporal aspect to avoid inaccuracies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the coming months

Replaces "next several" with "coming", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

over the next few months

Substitutes "several" with "few", implying a shorter or less definite duration.

in the months ahead

Uses "ahead" to indicate the future time period, providing a slightly different emphasis.

during the upcoming months

Replaces "next" with "upcoming", which is a subtle variation in phrasing.

throughout the next few months

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the period using "throughout".

in the subsequent months

Uses "subsequent" for a more formal tone, indicating months that follow a specific event or time.

over the course of the next months

Adds "over the course of" to highlight the passage of time during the period.

in the near future

Offers a more general expression for a relatively close time horizon without specifying a precise number of months.

in the medium term

Presents a business or economic term denoting a period longer than the short term but less than the long term.

in the foreseeable future

Indicates that the time period is predictable or can be reasonably anticipated, differing slightly in connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "during the next several months" in a sentence?

Use "during the next several months" to indicate a period of time in the near future. For instance, "We anticipate increased sales "during the next several months" as we roll out our new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "during the next several months"?

You can use alternatives like "in the coming months", "over the next few months", or "in the months ahead" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "during the next several months" or "over the next several months"?

Both "during the next several months" and "over the next several months" are acceptable, although "during" is slightly more formal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

How does "during the next several months" differ from "in the past several months"?

"During the next several months" refers to a future time frame, while "in the past several months" refers to a period that has already occurred. Ensure you choose the phrase that accurately reflects the timeframe you are discussing.