during the previous weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the previous weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that occurred in the weeks leading up to the present moment. Example: "During the previous weeks, we have seen significant progress in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He had already called people during the previous weeks.

The New York Times

Let's say that during the previous weeks or months you had evinced signs of emotional volatility.

The New York Times - Arts

His only clue that something was up, he says, was that Adnan had seemed sad during the previous weeks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Figures show that yesterday's demonstrations attracted many more young people than those during the previous weeks had.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was King calling from out west to talk about sobriety, his new best friend, a fragile relationship he had cultivated during the previous weeks at a rehabilitation center in Santa Monica, Calif.

The New York Times - Sports

The Los Angeles Times had just posted on its Web site a long article detailing the accusations of six women that Mr. Schwarzenegger had sexually manhandled them, charges that were familiar but had remained muted during the previous weeks of the campaign.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The reference period was "during the previous week".

BMC Public Health

His death apparently happened some time during the previous week.

Independent

The meeting with the President nearly destroyed the good will that had been generated during the previous week.

The New Yorker

In our surveys, we also asked Americans to assess the quality of the campaign during the previous week.

The New York Times

The books listed here were received by Ian during the previous week, courtesy of various publishing houses.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the previous weeks", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point. Make it obvious which weeks you're referring to in relation to the present or another established time.

Common error

Avoid using "during the previous weeks" without a clear reference point. If the timeframe isn't obvious, specify the dates or events that define the period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the previous weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It provides temporal context, specifying when something occurred. Ludwig provides many examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the previous weeks" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a period of time prior to the present or a specific reference point, providing necessary context. Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's correctness and its presence in various contexts like News & Media and Science. Related phrases include "in recent weeks" and "over the past weeks". It's important to use the phrase with a clear timeframe reference to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in recent weeks

Emphasizes the recency of the weeks in question, differing from a more general 'previous'.

over the past weeks

Highlights the duration of the period, suggesting a focus on the entire span of time.

in the preceding weeks

Formal alternative, placing emphasis on the order of events.

during the prior weeks

Similar to 'previous' but can imply a known or established sequence.

throughout the last few weeks

Emphasizes continuous action or events happening consistently.

in the weeks before

Simple and direct, focuses on the weeks leading up to a specific point.

for the last several weeks

Highlights the cumulative effect of events or actions over the period.

in the run-up to the current week

Suggests a period of preparation or anticipation.

during the weeks leading up to this

Similar to the previous, emphasizes the approach to the present time.

in weeks gone by

Informal, more literary way to say 'previous weeks'.

FAQs

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

You can use "during the previous weeks" to describe events or conditions that occurred in the weeks leading up to a specific point in time. For example, "During the previous weeks, the company experienced a surge in sales."

What's a more formal alternative to "during the previous weeks"?

A more formal alternative is "in the preceding weeks". This option is often used in academic or professional contexts.

Is "during the previous weeks" grammatically correct?

Yes, "during the previous weeks" is grammatically correct. It's a common and accepted way to refer to a period in the past.

What's the difference between "during the previous week" and "during the previous weeks"?

"During the previous week" refers to a single week, while "during the previous weeks" refers to a period encompassing multiple weeks.