in past weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in past weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to events or situations that occurred during the weeks leading up to the present time. Example: "In past weeks, we have seen significant changes in the market trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Many dioceses nationwide released their individual figures in past weeks.

The New York Times

As in past weeks, violence erupted in several locales across the country, though the death toll was lower than previously.

The New York Times

"We will keep our demonstrations until we get our rights," said one protester in Medan, a neighborhood in Damascus that has seen small demonstrations in past weeks.

The New York Times

Since Feb. 28, the United States has conducted roughly 80 airstrikes against al-Qaeda militants in Yemen, Davis said, a number that remains little changed in past weeks.

The Washington Post

In past weeks, this has been the witching hour: As people get off work and flood into Mong Kok, opposing groups face off across the barricades with verbal arguments frequently turning physical.

Huffington Post

Although the strapping Cuban heartthrob brought the same high energy and charisma to the performance that earned him rave reviews in past weeks, the show's judges agreed that Levy and Burke had a hard time nailing the choreography this week.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The issue that most excites outsiders, Chechnya's war, barely rates a mention.Many of Mr Putin's official duties in past weeks, however, look very like campaigning.

The Economist

His receivers also got better separation than we've seen them get in past weeks (this isn't to say Green Bay's secondary didn't play well).

The New York Times

More broadly, however, the signs of an economic slowdown in past weeks — not least Friday's report showing weak job growth in May — have altered the climate for those talks.

The New York Times

The list Payton, the Giants' offensive coordinator, bore today was shorter than in past weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

So in the wake of Apple's eventful announcement today, let's see what was floating around in past weeks that did not come to pass.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in past weeks" to provide a general timeframe without specifying exact dates. This is useful when the specific dates are not as important as the overall trend or sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "in past weeks" when referring to a very specific event that occurred on a particular date. This phrase is best for discussing trends or ongoing situations rather than isolated incidents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in past weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event or situation occurred. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating a period leading up to the present. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in past weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, commonly used to provide temporal context, particularly in news and business communications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While there are similar phrases like "recently" or "over the last few weeks", the best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. To use it effectively, remember that it is best for discussing trends or ongoing situations rather than isolated incidents. The most authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in recent weeks

Similar meaning, but with a slight variation in word order.

over the last few weeks

Emphasizes the duration and provides a slightly more descriptive timeframe.

throughout the last weeks

Highlights the continuous nature of events during that time.

during the previous weeks

More formal and emphasizes the completed nature of the weeks.

in the weeks leading up to now

More descriptive and explicitly connects the past to the present.

in the preceding weeks

More formal and literary, indicating a sequence of events.

recently

A single word to replace the whole expression, simpler and more concise.

lately

Single word and concise replacement for the whole expression.

in the weeks just gone

Informal and emphasizes the immediacy of the past.

of late

A more archaic and concise way to express recent events.

FAQs

How can I use "in past weeks" in a sentence?

Use "in past weeks" to refer to events or trends that have occurred during the weeks leading up to the present moment. For example, "In past weeks, the company's stock price has steadily increased".

What phrases are similar to "in past weeks"?

Similar phrases include "recently", "over the last few weeks", and "in recent weeks". These alternatives offer slight variations in emphasis and formality.

Is there a difference between "in past weeks" and "in recent weeks"?

While both phrases refer to a similar timeframe, "in recent weeks" may imply a slightly shorter or more immediate period compared to "in past weeks". The choice between them often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Can "in past weeks" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "in past weeks" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news reports and business communications. However, more formal alternatives like "in the preceding weeks" may be preferred in academic or highly formal contexts.