in previous months

USAGE SUMMARY

"in previous months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the time period that preceded something in the past. For example: "He had been struggling in his job for several months, but in previous months, his performance had been much better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In previous months, Litvinenko had tried to supplement his £2,000-a-month MI6 salary by doing due diligence reports for British firms keen to invest in Russia.

The Guardian

Demand in previous months was revised downward.

The New York Times

As in previous months, it cannot find any.

The Guardian - Business

In previous months it had lost much ground.

The Economist

In previous months, Adam Posen has been the only MPC member to vote for more QE.

The Guardian - Business

The firm has already noticed more opportunities in January than in previous months, Mr. Golub said.

The New York Times

The company's Internet business had sales growth, though it was much slower than in previous months.

The New York Times

Unlike in previous months, there were no barriers or soldiers to enforce quarantines.

The Guardian

More than a fifth (22%) had been bullied in previous months, mostly face to face (93%).

The Guardian

In previous months policy makers debated lowering rates but voted unanimously to keep them on hold.

The New York Times

The government had set oil tariffs based on average prices in previous months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in previous months" when you want to compare a situation to how it was in the months leading up to it. For example, comparing current sales figures to sales figures "in previous months".

Common error

While "in previous months" and "in the last months" might seem interchangeable, "in the last months" emphasizes a continuous period leading up to the present, while "in previous months" refers to a period before a specific point in time, which may not be the present. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in previous months" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the time frame in which an action or situation occurred. It provides temporal context, indicating that something happened during the months leading up to a particular point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in previous months" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the period preceding a specific point in time. Ludwig AI analysis and the examples provided show it is frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its versatility. It's important to distinguish it from "in recent months", which refers to a period closer to the present. Related phrases like "in the preceding months" or "during the prior months" offer alternatives with slight variations in formality. When writing, ensure that "in previous months" accurately reflects the intended temporal context, and consider that "in" is generally the preferred preposition in this construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the preceding months

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", maintaining formality.

during the prior months

Substitutes "previous" with "prior", offering a slightly more formal tone.

over the last few months

Uses a more descriptive approach to indicate the recent past.

in recent months

Highlights the recency of the timeframe, simplifying the phrasing.

in the months before

Focuses on the sequence of time, emphasizing what came before a specific point.

in the prior period

Uses "period" instead of "months", making it suitable for contexts not specifically tied to months.

in the past months

A more general reference to months that have already occurred.

during earlier months

Emphasizes that the months are in the more distant past.

in the months leading up to

Highlights that the months were a preparation for something.

formerly

Uses a single word to indicate something happened in the past, a more concise approach.

FAQs

How do I use "in previous months" in a sentence?

You can use "in previous months" to refer to a period before a specific event or time. For example: "The company's profits were higher this quarter than "in previous months"".

What's the difference between "in previous months" and "in recent months"?

"In recent months" refers to a period close to the present, whereas "in previous months" refers to a period prior to a specific time, which may or may not be the present. They are not interchangeable, so carefully choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What can I say instead of "in previous months"?

Alternatives include "in the preceding months", "during the prior months", or "over the last few months", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "during previous months" instead of "in previous months"?

While "during previous months" is understandable, "in previous months" is the more common and grammatically standard phrasing. Using "in" is generally preferred in this context.