last several weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last several weeks" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the most recent or final few weeks of a specific period of time. Example: The project has been ongoing for the last several weeks, and we are finally nearing completion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It is expected to last several weeks".

Independent

The process is expected to last several weeks.

Independent

The trial is expected to last several weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

The company said the delay might last several weeks.

The New York Times

"The last several weeks there's been a bloodbath of selling.

The New York Times

But conditions have improved in the last several weeks.

The New York Times

In the last several weeks, that figure has doubled.

The New York Times

Luckily, a few options that can do this credibly have emerged in the last several weeks.

The New York Times

Suns catcher David Freitas said Strasburg's pitches had improved markedly in the last several weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

"Unless there are rolling blackouts that last several weeks, the impact will be limited".

The New York Times

Over the last several weeks, the company has tried repeatedly to satisfy its critics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience. While widely accepted, "last several weeks" may be replaced with more precise language if you're writing for an highly formal context.

Common error

While similar, "last several weeks" implies a slightly longer duration than "the last few weeks". Use "last several weeks" when referring to a period that is more than just two or three weeks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last several weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when something occurred or was valid. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last several weeks" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the period immediately preceding the present. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts and serves to provide a temporal anchor for events, trends, or developments. While generally neutral in tone, more formal contexts might benefit from greater precision. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can use "last several weeks" effectively while being mindful of nuance and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recent weeks

Emphasizes recency but is slightly less specific regarding the exact duration.

past few weeks

Similar meaning, replacing "several" with "few" to denote a smaller quantity.

previous weeks

Highlights that the weeks occurred before the current one, more formal.

the preceding weeks

More formal alternative, indicating weeks that came before now.

in recent times

Broader timeframe, indicating not just weeks but a general period of time.

lately

More informal and general, without specifying the number of weeks.

of late

A more archaic, formal way of saying lately.

in the weeks before

Specifies that the weeks occurred before a particular event or point in time.

the days leading up to

Focuses on the immediate period before an event, shorter timeframe.

the run-up to

Specifically indicates the period preparing for an event

FAQs

How can I use "last several weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "last several weeks" to refer to a period of time leading up to the present. For example, "The company's stock price has been volatile for the "last several weeks"".

What's a more formal alternative to "last several weeks"?

A more formal alternative would be "the preceding weeks" or "the recent weeks". These options are suitable for academic and professional writing.

Is there a difference between "last several weeks" and "the past few weeks"?

While similar, "last several weeks" typically suggests a slightly longer duration than "the past few weeks". The best option depends on how many weeks you are referring to.

Can I use "last several weeks" when referring to future events?

No, "last several weeks" refers to a period in the past leading up to the present. To refer to a future period, you might use "the next few weeks" or "the coming weeks".