earlier that month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier that month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time within the same month as the current context, indicating that something occurred before the present date within that month. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for the 15th, but we had already discussed the project earlier that month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(See: "Boone's Boom") Earlier that month oil rallied after the venerable Goldman Sachs predicted that crude prices could reach $200 in the next two years.

Forbes

However, it became apparent earlier that month that Oumou welcomed the opportunity to engage in discussions and to improve her understanding about issues around her.

Unicef

In August, a former Bank of America employee, arrested earlier that month as part of a probe into the dairy, was freed from pretrial custody.

Forbes

In August, a former employee of Bank of America arrested earlier that month as part of a probe into the dairy, was freed from pretrial custody.

Forbes

One earlier that month showed a 44%to29%9% divide.

The Guardian - Opinion

Earlier that month, Trump had started describing Mexicans as rapists.

The New Yorker

Earlier that month Contribsx added extensive information about cabinet minister Greening.

The Guardian

Liberty had received government approval to take control of Sirius earlier that month.

The New York Times

A Fitch rival, Standard & Poor's, downgraded Spain earlier that month, to AA from AA+.

The New York Times

She had one idea though: Sini had tested negative for Lyme disease earlier that month.

The New York Times

Earlier that month, the Halston team named Marco Zanini, a former Versace assistant, as creative director.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earlier that month", ensure the context clearly establishes the month being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, if discussing events in July, specify "earlier that month" to refer to events within July.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier that month" when the month is not explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text. Always provide a clear reference to the month to prevent confusion. For instance, avoid statements like: "The project began earlier that month," without specifying which month you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier that month" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurred in relation to another event within the same month. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earlier that month" serves as a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a time frame prior to a specific date within the same month, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is versatile, appearing in news articles, formal business documents, and encyclopedias, and provides clear temporal context. For clarity, always ensure the month being referenced is explicitly stated or easily inferred. While various alternatives exist, such as "previously that month", choosing the most suitable option depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously that month

Replaces "earlier" with "previously", offering a slightly more formal tone while retaining the same temporal reference.

before then that month

Adds "before then" for emphasis on the temporal sequence, highlighting that the event occurred prior to the reference point.

in the early part of the month

Focuses on the specific part of the month when the event occurred, rather than a direct comparison.

at the beginning of that month

Similar to 'in the early part', specifies the start of the month as the timeframe.

prior to that month

Shifts the focus to the period leading up to the entire month, subtly altering the temporal scope.

in the first weeks of that month

Highlights the initial weeks of the month as the period in question.

at the start of that month

Similar to 'at the beginning', but with a slightly less formal tone.

in advance of that month

Indicates that the event occurred well before the reference month.

leading up to that month

Focuses on the period leading up to the entire month, rather than a specific time within it.

some time before that month

Generalizes the timing, indicating an unspecified period before the month in question.

FAQs

How can I use "earlier that month" in a sentence?

Use "earlier that month" to indicate an event that happened before a specific date within the same month. For example: "The announcement was made on the 20th, but negotiations had started "earlier that month"."

What are some alternatives to saying "earlier that month"?

You can use alternatives like "previously that month", "before then that month", or "in the early part of the month" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "early that month" instead of "earlier that month"?

While "early that month" is understandable, ""earlier that month"" is more precise when comparing a specific time within the month to another. "Early that month" simply indicates a timeframe without a direct comparison.

What is the difference between "earlier that month" and "later that month"?

"Earlier that month" refers to a time preceding a specific date within the same month, while "later that month" refers to a time following it. They are opposites indicating different parts of the same month.