in the previous decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the previous decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the ten-year period immediately before the current one, often in discussions about trends, changes, or events that occurred during that time. Example: "In the previous decade, technology advanced at an unprecedented rate, transforming how we communicate and work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This issue of accountability had become more pressing in the previous decade.

The New Yorker

Completed in 1873, it commemorates Prussia's victories in the previous decade over Denmark, Austria and France.

The New York Times

Unlike in the previous decade, most avoided the trap of overexpanding.

The New York Times - Magazine

At that point, CGM Focus was up roughly one thousand per cent in the previous decade.

The New Yorker

In the previous decade or two, other avant-garde collectives had reached something of an impasse.

The New Yorker

Consumption, the main driver of growth in the previous decade, is slumping.

The Economist

This compares with 45 new productions and 12 Met premieres in the previous decade.

The New York Times - Arts

But even those grew more slowly than they had in the previous decade.

The New York Times

In the previous decade, he'd lost two brothers, including Robert, and his mother.

The New York Times

Dr. Goodwin surmised that the same problem had plagued Mr. Eagleton in the previous decade.

The New York Times

Diane Keaton, especially when paired with Woody Allen, in the previous decade?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in the previous decade", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point from which the decade is being measured. Ambiguity can arise if the time frame isn't explicitly defined.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader automatically understands which decade you're referring to. If the current year is 2025, simply stating "in the previous decade" implies 2015-2024. However, for clarity, especially in historical contexts, specifying the exact years is always better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the previous decade" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying a time frame. It's used to provide temporal context for an event, trend, or situation. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

19%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the previous decade" serves as a precise temporal marker, indicating a period of ten years before a specified reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse domains, especially news, media, and science. While grammatically sound and versatile, contextual clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "in the last decade" or "over the past decade" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure the timeframe aligns with the context and reader expectations, contributing to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the last decade

Replaces "previous" with "last", offering a slightly more direct and common way to express the same timeframe.

over the past decade

Uses "past" instead of "previous", shifting the focus to a period leading up to the present.

during the prior decade

Substitutes "previous" with "prior", offering a more formal alternative.

in the preceding decade

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", resulting in a more formal and literary tone.

throughout the last ten years

Expands "decade" to "ten years" for clarity, adding "throughout" to emphasize the duration.

in the decade before

Simplifies the structure while maintaining the temporal context.

during the earlier decade

Uses "earlier" instead of "previous" to specify a time before the present.

ten years ago

Offers a more concise, though less formal, way to refer to events within the timeframe.

in the nineteen-nineties

Offers more specific way to define the period.

in the course of the decade before

Adds emphasis on the unfolding of events during that specific 10 years time frame.

FAQs

What is another way to say "in the previous decade"?

You can use alternatives like "in the last decade", "over the past decade", or "during the prior decade" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How do I use "in the previous decade" in a sentence?

Use "in the previous decade" to refer to the ten-year period immediately preceding the current one or a specific point in time you've already established. For example: "In the previous decade, there were significant advancements in renewable energy technology."

Is it better to say "in the previous decade" or "in the last decade"?

Both phrases are correct and widely used. "In the last decade" is slightly more common and informal, while "in the previous decade" may sound more formal and precise. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What years does "in the previous decade" refer to?

If you're using the phrase in 2025, "in the previous decade" typically refers to the years 2015-2024. However, ensure the context clearly indicates the reference point from which the decade is being measured to avoid any ambiguity.