in the preceding weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the preceding weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that occurred just before the current moment or event being discussed. Example: "In the preceding weeks, we noticed a significant increase in customer inquiries regarding our new product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the preceding weeks, relations between the two men had grown tense.

The New Yorker

It was also lower last week than in the preceding weeks of the third quarter.

The New York Times

He did not mention the action by lobbyists and tribes in the preceding weeks.

The New York Times

But in the preceding weeks there had been smaller attacks on the US consulate and the UN mission.

The Guardian - Film

Taimoor had spoken several times to Shamsia's family in the preceding weeks, and the response was always the same.

The New York Times - Magazine

The day itself was in September 2009, and in the preceding weeks it became increasingly evident that something was awry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Students will have four creative and interrelated writing assignments, each one modeling techniques discussed in the preceding weeks.

Columbia University

People so ready to talk of miraculous dolphins should be amazed at the accomplishment of something that was considered impossible in the preceding weeks.

The New York Times

For Eid, Khatun would receive seven days of holiday, but in the preceding weeks the factory would often run all night.

The Guardian

In the preceding weeks, bluegrass loyalists had picketed two fund-raising events, one man carrying a sign declaring "WAMU = Fraud, Stupidity and Heartache".

The New York Times - Arts

In the preceding weeks, the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London had been accompanied by stories of taxi drivers offering free rides and people opening their homes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the preceding weeks" to provide context about events or situations that occurred in the weeks leading up to a specific point in time. This helps establish a clear timeline for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in the preceding weeks" when a simpler term like "previously" or "beforehand" would suffice, especially in informal writing. Overusing formal phrasing can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the preceding weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time frame in which an action or state occurred. It provides temporal context, indicating that something happened in the weeks leading up to a particular point. This usage is supported by the Ludwig examples, where the phrase is used to describe events or conditions leading up to a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the preceding weeks" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that establishes a temporal context. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and is very commonly used across various domains. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific publications, and formal documents, it serves to provide background information and connect past events to the present. While "in the prior weeks" or "during the previous weeks" serve as good alternatives, the choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. Remember to avoid overuse in simpler narratives to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the prior weeks

Uses "prior" as a synonym for "preceding", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different word choice.

during the previous weeks

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", offering a common and nearly identical alternative.

in the weeks before

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the temporal sequence, using "before" instead of "preceding".

in the weeks leading up to

Adds a sense of anticipation or progression toward a specific event.

in the days leading up to

Changes the time frame from weeks to days, focusing on a shorter period.

in the immediate past weeks

Emphasizes the recent nature of the weeks in question by adding the word "immediate".

in those weeks beforehand

Uses "beforehand" to specify that the weeks occurred before a particular event or time.

over the past several weeks

Highlights the duration of the weeks being referred to, using "several" to indicate more than a few.

during the weeks immediately preceding

More formal and emphatic, highlighting the direct connection to a later event.

in the run-up weeks

Implies a preparation or build-up to a specific event during those weeks.

FAQs

How can I use "in the preceding weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "in the preceding weeks" to set the stage for an event by describing related occurrences. For example, "In the preceding weeks, the company's stock price had been steadily declining, leading to the CEO's resignation."

What are some alternatives to "in the preceding weeks"?

Alternatives include "in the prior weeks", "during the previous weeks", or "in the weeks before". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "in the preceding weeks" and "in the following weeks"?

Yes, "in the preceding weeks" refers to the weeks before a specific event or time, while "in the following weeks" refers to the weeks after that event. They are opposite in their temporal direction.

When is it appropriate to use "in the preceding weeks" instead of a more specific timeframe?

Use "in the preceding weeks" when the exact dates are not as important as the general trend or context leading up to an event. If specific dates are crucial, providing them is better.