in the preceding years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the preceding years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the years that came before a specific point in time, often in a historical or analytical context. Example: "In the preceding years, the company saw significant growth in its market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the preceding years, Israel had forged alliances with several African states, Uganda among them.

The Guardian

Deaths from PMA went from 0 or 1 in the preceding years, to 20 in 2012.

The Guardian

This year, it's 25 already, with 20 and 19 in the preceding years.

The Guardian - Sport

In the preceding years, she wore thigh boots, not side boots.

The New York Times

Clearly, the valuations cited in the preceding years' books were way off.

MIT Technology Review

Some of the paintings made in the preceding years take on a clinical aspect.

Independent

Fortunately, the city had taken several steps in the preceding years to prepare for responding to a major disaster.

Harvard University

I'd been in England in the preceding years, yet I was fairly sure I hadn't broken any vases.

The New York Times

In the preceding years, police had often turned a blind eye to violence against gay men or deliberately ensnared them.

Independent

This study focuses on effluent MMP-2 and PAI-1 as early diagnostic markers in the preceding years of patients who develop encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS).

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Of these, nine of the biggest aircraft carriers and submarines, some captured from the Japanese forces in the preceding years, sank.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the preceding years", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point in time. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands which period you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "in the preceding years" without explicitly mentioning or implying the specific year or event you are referring to. For example, instead of saying "Conditions worsened in the preceding years", specify "Conditions worsened in the years preceding the 2008 financial crisis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the preceding years" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to set a temporal context for an event or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the preceding years" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed temporal marker. It functions as an adverbial phrase, setting a historical context by referring to the period before a specified event or time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to establish a clear reference point when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "in prior years" or "in previous years" can be used to add variety. Its wide adoption by authoritative sources underscores its reliability and usefulness in analytical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in prior years

Replaces "preceding" with "prior", a synonym, offering a slightly more formal tone.

in previous years

Substitutes "preceding" with "previous", another common synonym, resulting in a nearly identical meaning.

in the past years

Uses "past" instead of "preceding", indicating a time before the present but maintaining similar context.

in the years before

Rearranges the phrase to emphasize the temporal sequence, using "before" to indicate an earlier period.

in earlier years

Replaces "preceding" with "earlier", which simplifies the expression while keeping the reference to a prior time.

in former years

Employs "former" as a substitute, indicating a time that has passed, often with a sense of something that no longer exists.

in the years leading up to

Adds more detail, specifying that the years were directly before a certain event or time.

in the immediately preceding years

Adds "immediately" for emphasis, indicating the years closest to the point of reference.

in the years leading up

Shortens phrase, specifying the years leading to a certain event or time.

in those years

Offers a more concise alternative, suitable when the context already establishes which years are being referenced.

FAQs

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

Use "in the preceding years" to refer to a period before a specific point in time. For example, "In the preceding years, the company saw significant growth."

What phrases are similar to "in the preceding years"?

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

Is it more formal to say "in the preceding years" or "in the past years"?

"In the preceding years" generally sounds more formal than "in the past years". Consider the audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between these options.

When should I use "in the preceding years" versus "in the following years"?

"In the preceding years" refers to years before a specific point, while "in the following years" refers to years after that point. Make sure to choose the phrase that accurately reflects the temporal relationship you want to convey.