during the previous 12 months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the previous 12 months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a time frame that encompasses the last year leading up to the present moment. Example: "The survey results indicate that customer satisfaction has improved during the previous 12 months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recipients of public welfare payments during the previous 12 months do not qualify for family reunification.

The Guardian

That compares to a monthly average of 219,000 during the previous 12 months.

The Guardian - Business

The survey also found four in five adolescents had seen or heard online hate during the previous 12 months.

The Guardian

Even more worryingly, more than 7,000 said that they had been bullied or harassed during the previous 12 months.

Independent

A portion of each year's new crop of inductees inevitably tends to reflect news developments during the previous 12 months.

Independent

Its figures showed that shoppers spent £700m less on clothing, shoes and accessories in the year to 25 September than they had during the previous 12 months.

The Guardian - Business

The figure has increased from the £31m allocated during the previous 12 months which included £1m to cover the extra costs of the diamond jubilee.

The Guardian

Families were categorized as "food secure" or "food insecure" based how they answered several questions on their eating habits during the previous 12 months.

The New York Times

Suppliers rated Aldi, Sainsbury's and Lidl as the top three supermarkets in terms of complying "consistently well" and "mostly" with the code during the previous 12 months.

The Guardian - Business

The figure has increased from the £31m allocated during the previous 12 months, which included £1m towards the extra costs of the Diamond Jubilee.

Independent

In total, the orange airline flew 61.33 million passengers in 2013, which is 3.6 per cent more than during the previous 12 months.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the previous 12 months", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point from which the 12-month period is calculated. This avoids ambiguity about the exact timeframe being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "during the previous 12 months" when the context implies a different period. Always double-check that the intended timeframe aligns precisely with the calendar year leading up to the point of reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the previous 12 months" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurred or a condition existed. Ludwig indicates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during the previous 12 months" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify a timeframe within the past year. Ludwig confirms its proper use across various sources, including news, scientific literature, and business documents. Its function is to provide a precise temporal context for reported events or conditions. While alternatives like "in the past year" exist, "during the previous 12 months" maintains a level of formality suitable for professional and academic settings. Correct usage involves ensuring the reference point for the 12-month period is clearly established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past year

Replaces "during the previous 12 months" with a simpler, more concise expression of the same time frame.

over the last year

Similar to "in the past year", this alternative uses "over" to specify the period covering the last year.

within the last 12 months

This alternative maintains the specific 12-month timeframe but uses "within" to indicate the period.

in the preceding year

Uses "preceding" as a more formal synonym for "previous", maintaining the 12-month timeframe.

for the last year

Highlights the duration of the time period, emphasizing that something has occurred throughout the entire year.

during the last year

A more direct alternative, replacing "previous 12 months" with "last year".

in the past annum

Uses "annum" a more formal word for year, suitable for technical or legal contexts.

over the course of the past year

Emphasizes the progression of time within the last year.

in the year prior

A more concise way to indicate the year immediately before the current one.

throughout the prior year

Highlights that the events or conditions were consistent throughout the entire preceding year.

FAQs

What does "during the previous 12 months" mean?

The phrase "during the previous 12 months" refers to the period of one year immediately before the current time or a specific reference point. It's used to describe events, trends, or conditions that occurred within that timeframe.

How can I rephrase "during the previous 12 months" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "in the past year", "over the last year", or "within the last 12 months" to express the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "in the previous 12 months" instead of "during the previous 12 months"?

Yes, "in the previous 12 months" is grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably with "during the previous 12 months". Both phrases convey the same meaning of occurring within the year prior to a specific point in time.

When should I use "during the previous 12 months" versus "in the last year"?

While both phrases are similar, "during the previous 12 months" may be preferred in more formal or technical contexts where precision is important. "In the last year" is suitable for more general or informal communication.