in the past few weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the past few weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a series of events that happened in the recent past. For example: "Over the past few weeks, I have been working hard to complete my project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's just in the past few weeks that anyone noticed.

The Washington Post

The impossible has happened in the past few weeks.

The New York Times

In the past few weeks, the disease has gone global.

Independent

New horrors have been revealed in the past few weeks.

The New York Times

However, something has changed in the past few weeks.

The New York Times

IN THE past few weeks, Kenyans have been celebrating.

The Economist

In the past few weeks, cigarette prices have tripled.

The Economist

They were arrested in the past few weeks, it said.

The Guardian

But everything had changed in the past few weeks.

The New York Times - Books

– What has been written about the company in the past few weeks?

Cornell University

In the past few weeks, Jenkins has pushed those emotions out into the open.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the past few weeks", ensure that the context clearly defines the period you are referring to, especially if the timeline is critical to the information you are conveying.

Common error

Avoid using "in the past few weeks" when a more specific timeframe (e.g., "since July 1st") would provide clarity and prevent ambiguity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the past few weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something happened. It specifies a period of time leading up to the present. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is grammatical and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the past few weeks" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate a recent timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to provide temporal context, denoting that an event occurred in the immediate past. While versatile, clarity can be improved by specifying exact dates when possible. Alternatives like "recently" and "lately" can offer more concise options, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the last few weeks

Uses 'over' to emphasize the period but remains semantically very close.

in recent weeks

A more concise and equally common alternative.

during the previous weeks

Substitutes "past" with "previous" and is slightly more formal.

for the last few weeks

Focuses on duration using "for".

in the preceding weeks

Replaces "past" with "preceding", adding a slightly more formal tone.

recently

Single word adverb indicating events that happened not long ago, useful for succinctness.

these past weeks

Changes word order slightly for emphasis.

lately

Similar to "recently" but may imply a longer period or a series of events leading up to the present.

since the last few weeks

Emphasizes a starting point in the recent past.

the weeks just gone by

An idiomatic alternative that is less formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the past few weeks" to describe events or changes that have occurred recently. For example, "In the past few weeks, the company has launched several new products".

What are some alternatives to "in the past few weeks"?

Alternatives include "recently", "lately", or "over the last few weeks" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

While similar, "in the past few weeks" might imply a slightly shorter or more immediate timeframe than "in recent weeks", which can encompass a broader period.

When should I avoid using "in the past few weeks"?

Avoid using "in the past few weeks" if a more precise timeframe is necessary for clarity, or if the period you are referring to extends beyond just a few weeks. In such cases, specify the exact dates or use a broader term like "in recent months".