in previous days

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in previous days" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase that is often used to refer to times or events that occurred in the past. For example, "In previous days, people wrote letters to stay in touch, rather than relying on email or text messages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Katmandu remained in the grip of rambunctious demonstrations all day, though the mood was palpably less menacing than in previous days.

The New York Times

The police presence was much higher outside the conference venue than in previous days.

The Guardian

There were no direct confrontations with the police, as there had been in previous days.

The New York Times

The tone of the administration's comments on Mr. Arafat were less harsh than in previous days.

The New York Times

The shelling of Slupcane, another suspected rebel stronghold, was less intense than in previous days.

The New York Times

They reported an unusual build-up of traffic out of Iraq in previous days.

The New York Times

The declines on Thursday were not as steep as in previous days.

The New York Times

But as in previous days of testimony, a picture emerged of an overwhelmed Private Chen.

The New York Times

On Basra's streets on Thursday, fewer British troops were on patrol than in previous days, Reuters reported.

The New York Times

Inside, a bank employee said the number of visitors was lower than it had been in previous days.

The New York Times

Market indexes flitted from slight gains to losses in morning trading, a contrast to the sudden lurches in previous days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in previous days" to provide context when comparing a current situation with how it was in the immediate past.

Common error

Avoid using "in previous days" when referring to events that happened long ago; instead, opt for phrases like "in the past" or "years ago".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in previous days" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a timeframe preceding the current moment. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use to provide temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in previous days" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to refer to the immediate past. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage, especially in news and media. When using the phrase, it's essential to maintain a neutral tone and to ensure the context is clear, indicating a comparison between the present and the recent past. Alternatives like "in the past few days" or "recently" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using it to refer to the distant past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the days before

Simple rephrasing, maintaining the temporal aspect.

in the past few days

Highlights a very recent past.

prior to these days

More formal and direct.

in the preceding period

Emphasizes a specific duration before the current one.

in the recent past

Highlights the recency of the past period.

in earlier times

Focuses on a more distant past.

in days gone by

Highlights nostalgia or a sense of historical change.

in times past

Focuses on a non-specific past.

formerly

Single-word adverb indicating a previous state or time.

in yesterdays

More poetic or literary.

FAQs

How can I use "in previous days" in a sentence?

You can use "in previous days" to compare past and present situations. For example, "The traffic was lighter today than it was "in previous days"".

What is a good alternative to "in previous days"?

Some alternatives include "in the past few days", "recently", or "before" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in previous days" or "in recent days"?

Both ""in previous days"" and "in recent days" are correct, but "in recent days" implies a shorter time frame than "in previous days".

What's the difference between "in previous days" and "in former days"?

"In previous days" refers to the immediate past, while "in former days" suggests a more distant or significantly different past.