during the previous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the previous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that occurred before the current one, often in relation to events or actions that took place. Example: "During the previous meeting, we discussed the budget for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reference period was "during the previous week".

BMC Public Health

The children missed school during the previous operation as well.

The New York Times

Mr. bin Laden had been relaxed during the previous visits.

The New York Times

The diagramed deal occurred during the previous championship.

The New York Times

He first saw one during the previous summer holiday.

The New Yorker

Public employment grew steadily during the previous Bush administration.

The New York Times

His death apparently happened some time during the previous week.

Independent

CyBerCorp charges investors according to how many trades they made during the previous month.

The New York Times

stretches fell to 94 from 104 during the previous 18-month period.

The New York Times

The accumulation of debt occurred during the previous years of Repubican political control.

The New York Times

(The American International Group, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were effectively nationalized during the previous administration).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the previous", ensure the time frame you're referencing is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "during the previous week" or "during the previous year" to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "last" and "previous" interchangeably without considering the context. "Last" refers to the most recent instance, while "previous" is more general and can refer to any earlier instance. Instead of writing "During the last week and the previous one", try using "during the last two weeks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the previous" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating the time frame in which an action or state occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts. It provides temporal context, specifying that the action happened in a period before the current one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the previous" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that serves to specify a time frame preceding the present. As shown by Ludwig, it's common across various sources, notably in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy of this assessment. To ensure clarity, always specify the time frame when using the phrase and be mindful of the difference between "previous" and "last" for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the preceding

Focuses on the action happening in the time immediately before the current one.

in the prior

Emphasizes that something happened before something else in a sequence.

over the last

Highlights a duration of time immediately before the present.

throughout the prior

Like "in the prior", this alternative also underscores sequential precedence.

during the last

Places action in the last timeframe considered. May work in the same contexts as "during the previous".

in the past

States something happened at any prior time.

earlier in

Refers to an unspecified time period or moment prior to the present, without defining boundaries of said timeframe.

before now

Simple way of emphasizing that something happened at any time before the current moment.

heretofore

More formal manner of stating until now.

in days gone by

An idiomatic way of saying something happened in the distant past.

FAQs

How can I use "during the previous" in a sentence?

The phrase "during the previous" is used to refer to a time period that occurred before the current one. For example, "The company's profits increased significantly "during the previous quarter"".

What's a simple alternative to "during the previous"?

A simpler alternative is "in the prior" or "during the last". For example, instead of "during the previous year", you could say "in the prior year".

What is the difference between "during the previous" and "in the previous"?

While both phrases are similar, "during the previous" emphasizes that something happened throughout that period, whereas "in the previous" simply locates an event within that time. Depending on context, you might use "The team completed the project "in the previous month"" or "The team worked hard "during the previous month"".

When is it best to use "during the previous" instead of "in the prior"?

"During the previous" is best used when referring to an ongoing action or state that lasted for a specific duration, whereas "in the prior" is often used to pinpoint when an event happened. You might use "The stock price rose "during the previous week"" to imply continuous activity, or "The report was released "in the prior week"" to show an exact time.