in previous weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

"in previous weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it when referring to a period of time in the past that includes the current week and the few weeks before it. For example, "In previous weeks, I have been busy preparing for my trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In previous weeks, the numbers exceeded 20.

The New York Times

We didn't overplay, which we had done in previous weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

In previous weeks, I began the story of declining groundwater tables in India.

Columbia University

It performed significantly worse than the "Survivor" repeats that occupied the slot in previous weeks.

The New York Times

He was also uncharacteristically spent, after climbing two other eight-thousand-metre peaks in previous weeks.

The New Yorker

Protests however continue, albeit at a lower intensity than in previous weeks.

The Guardian

It wasn't as vibrant or positive as it had been in previous weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

The rally ended peacefully, unlike similar demonstrations in previous weeks where pro-Russian protesters beat participants.

The Guardian

In previous weeks of protests at least 10 people have been killed and scores injured.

The Guardian

As in previous weeks, the other channels struggled to make any impact on Saturday.

The Guardian

In previous weeks angry mobs have smashed windows, broken inside and raised the Russian flag.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in previous weeks" to provide context when comparing a current situation with past occurrences. It's particularly useful in reports, articles, or discussions where trends or changes over time are being analyzed.

Common error

While "in previous weeks" is generally clear, avoid using it when a precise timeframe is necessary. If the exact weeks are important, specify the dates or week numbers to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in previous weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

19%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in previous weeks" is a common and correct phrase used to reference the period leading up to the current week. It's most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. For more formal writing, consider "in the preceding weeks". When precision is key, specifying the exact dates is preferable. The phrase provides essential context for understanding changes and trends over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in recent weeks

Replaces 'previous' with 'recent', emphasizing the proximity to the present.

in prior weeks

Replaces 'previous' with 'prior', a slightly more formal synonym.

in the preceding weeks

Uses 'preceding' as a more formal synonym for 'previous'.

in the weeks before

Changes the structure to specify 'the weeks before' a certain event or time.

during the last few weeks

Specifies 'the last few weeks' instead of just 'previous weeks'.

in the immediately preceding weeks

Adds 'immediately' to emphasize the short time frame before the present.

over the past several weeks

Emphasizes the duration covering 'the past several weeks'.

during those prior weeks

Shifts the focus to 'those prior weeks', implying a previously mentioned period.

in earlier weeks

Substitutes 'previous' with 'earlier', indicating a point further back in time.

in the weeks leading up to

Focuses on the period 'leading up to' a specific event or date.

FAQs

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

You can use "in previous weeks" to describe events or conditions that occurred in the weeks leading up to the present. For example, "In previous weeks, the stock market experienced significant volatility."

What's a more formal alternative to "in previous weeks"?

A more formal alternative is "in the preceding weeks". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing where a higher level of formality is preferred.

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

While "in" is more common, "during previous weeks" can also be used, although it might sound slightly less natural. "In previous weeks" is generally the preferred choice.

What is the difference between "in recent weeks" and "in previous weeks"?

"In recent weeks" typically refers to the very immediate past, closer to the present moment, while "in previous weeks" can refer to a slightly more extended period in the past but still connected to the present discussion.