during the previous two weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the previous two weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time period that occurred before the current moment, specifically the two weeks leading up to now. Example: "During the previous two weeks, we saw a significant increase in sales due to our new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

In fighting during the previous two weeks, the S.P.L.A. had taken the Sudanese Army's positions nearby, opening up the land route to Yida, which had become strategically vital; it was a way to ferry supplies and refugees to the Nuba Mountains, and was also close to Heglig, the field that provides Sudan with nearly half its oil.

The New Yorker

Negotiations during the previous two weeks were intense.

Huffington Post

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the extra holiday pay equals the average daily shift the employee worked during the previous two weeks.

Wikipedia

A study of 29,000 workers published by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found 38percentt of them experienced "low levels of energy, poor sleep or a feeling of fatigue" during the previous two weeks.

Huffington Post

The fighting between 24 26 July had cost the Australians five killed and 24 wounded, while during the previous two weeks on The Hook 2 RAR had lost a total of 17 men killed and 31 wounded.

Wikipedia

Ultimately, when I departed Geneva two days after the official decision to postpone the Syria peace talks (scheduled to resume February 25), I couldn't help but reflect rather emotionally on the wave of activity that had transpired during the previous two weeks.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

DM was defined as those using medication for treatment of DM during the previous two week and who had previously informed by a medical doctor that they had DM [ 12].

BMC Endocrine Disorders

To be counted as a member of the labor force, a jobless person has to have actively looked for work during the previous four weeks.

The New Yorker

Technician Jaime de la Cruz of Peru's Imarpe marine life agency said about 220 dead dolphins were found in the last week of January alone, the rest during the previous three weeks.

The Guardian

Terminix, which is owned by ServiceMaster, also experienced a 30 percent increase in bedbug-related searches on mobile devices in the last two weeks compared with mobile traffic during the previous four weeks.

The New York Times

ComScore Media Metrix, which measures Web traffic patterns, reported that on Thursday, the most recent day for which complete figures were available, worldwide traffic to major news media sites was up 70percentt over an average day during the previous four weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the previous two weeks" to provide a clear and concise timeframe for events or actions that have occurred recently. Ensure the context makes it clear what time is being referenced, particularly if there are multiple timeframes discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "during the previous two weeks" when you intend to discuss the upcoming two weeks. Ensure you're referring to a past timeframe, not a future one. Use "in the next two weeks" to refer to future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the previous two weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier. It provides a specific temporal context for an action or state, indicating when something occurred. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during the previous two weeks" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, providing a specific temporal context. It indicates that an event or condition occurred in the two-week period immediately before the present and it can be used in many contexts and registers, even if its most frequent use is in science, news or media. Consider using alternatives like "in the last fortnight" or "over the past two weeks" for variety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, while also reminding us to use it when we want to discuss a past time frame, not a future one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the past two weeks

Uses "past" instead of "previous", offering a slightly more conversational tone.

during the preceding two weeks

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", increasing the formality of the phrase.

in the prior two weeks

Substitutes "prior" for "previous", which can sound slightly more formal.

over the recent two weeks

Using "recent" emphasizes the recency of the events.

within the last two weeks

Emphasizes that the events occurred inside the specified timeframe.

for the last couple of weeks

Offers a more casual way to refer to the time period.

in the course of the last two weeks

Highlights that events transpired within the specified period.

in the last fortnight

Replaces "two weeks" with its synonymous term "fortnight", suitable for more formal contexts.

for the past fourteen days

Expresses the duration in days instead of weeks for increased precision.

throughout the prior fortnight

Uses the synonym "prior" and "fortnight" to define the period in a formal style.

FAQs

What's the difference between "during the previous two weeks" and "in the last two weeks"?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable. "During the previous two weeks" is slightly more formal, while "in the last two weeks" is more common in everyday conversation. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between them.

How can I rephrase "during the previous two weeks" to sound more formal?

To increase formality, consider using phrases such as "during the preceding two weeks" or "within the prior fortnight". These options utilize more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is it correct to say "during the past two weeks" instead of "during the previous two weeks"?

Yes, "during the past two weeks" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. The words "past" and "previous" are often interchangeable in this context, and it does not affect the clarity or correctness of the statement. You can also say "over the past two weeks".

Can I use "during the previous two weeks" when talking about future events?

No, "during the previous two weeks" refers to a period in the past. To talk about events in the future, use phrases like "in the next two weeks" or "over the coming two weeks".