during the previous year

USAGE SUMMARY

"during the previous year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the period of time starting at the beginning of one year and ending at the beginning of the next. For example, "The company saw a 20% increase in sales during the previous year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Results: Of 211 athletes evaluated, 27 had been treated for LBP during the previous year.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Undergraduate students also were recognized for their academic achievements during the previous year.

Princeton University

Right of first refusal will be granted to group meeting times held during the previous year.

Princeton University

Under my arm was a pile of photographs taken during the previous year.

The Guardian - Arts

We tried 11 seizure drugs, and Sam was hospitalized twice during the previous year.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was a rise from 3,216 complaints during the previous year.

The Guardian - Money

The hospital had only performed the procedure once during the previous year.

The New York Times

In 1991 only 17% reported receiving any training during the previous year.

The Economist

That is up from 377 million dollars during the previous year.

The New York Times

Half the population said they had not dined out during the previous year.

The New York Times

Training on emergency procedures was done by less than half of the districts during the previous year.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data across multiple years, use "during the previous year" to clearly indicate the baseline for comparison. For example, "Sales increased by 15% compared to sales "during the previous year"."

Common error

Avoid using "last year" and "during the previous year" interchangeably if precision is required. "Last year" is often used colloquially and can be ambiguous, while "during the previous year" provides a more formal and specific timeframe reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the previous year" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the time frame in which an action or state occurred. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs, adjectives, and even entire clauses to provide temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

31%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the previous year" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to specify a timeframe, particularly for comparisons and context-setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is effective in various contexts. While "last year" can be used colloquially, "during the previous year" offers more precision, especially in formal writing. It is frequently used in science, news, and academic writing. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "in the preceding year" or "over the last year" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the preceding year

Uses "preceding" instead of "previous", offering a more formal tone.

in the prior year

Employs "prior" as a synonym for "previous", maintaining similar meaning.

over the last year

Shifts the focus to the entirety of the past year, rather than a specific period.

throughout the last year

Highlights the continuous aspect of something occurring during the past year.

in the past year

Offers a slightly more general reference to the year that has passed.

during the year before

Rephrases the concept using "before" to indicate the preceding year.

last year

Simplifies the phrase to a more concise expression.

the previous 12 months

Specifies the time frame as a period of 12 months.

in the financial year prior

Specifies that the reference is to the financial year, which may not be the same as a calendar year.

the year before last

Refers to the year before the immediate past year. Note that this differs from the original query.

FAQs

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

You can use "during the previous year" to specify a timeframe when comparing data, describing events, or providing context. For instance, "The company's profits increased significantly "during the previous year" due to new market strategies."

What is a more formal alternative to "during the previous year"?

A more formal alternative to "during the previous year" is "in the preceding year". This phrase maintains a similar meaning but carries a slightly more elevated tone, suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is "during the previous year" the same as "last year"?

While similar, "during the previous year" is more precise than "last year". "Last year" can be ambiguous depending on the context, whereas "during the previous year" clearly refers to the 12-month period immediately preceding the current one.

What can I say instead of "during the previous year" to emphasize the entire time period?

To emphasize the entirety of the past year, you could use phrases like "throughout the last year" or "over the last year", which highlight the continuous nature of events occurring during that period.