over recent weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over recent weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to events or changes that have occurred in the weeks leading up to the present moment. Example: "Over recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The issues that have come to light over recent weeks are a matter of profound regret.

BBC

The disagreement became progressively worse over recent weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

The deficit reduction is roughly in line with recommendations by Canadian business leaders over recent weeks.

The New York Times

The scenes over recent weeks from the eastern borders of Europe have generated horror and revulsion.

The New York Times

Over recent weeks, there have been two dozen public meetings, to record local oral history.

The Economist

Over recent weeks, Groupon has been the subject of scores of takeover rumors.

The New York Times

"That has been underlined by the abrupt correction in asset prices over recent weeks".

The New York Times

However, the issue has split politics, the church and the disabled community over recent weeks.

The Guardian

So over recent weeks I have kept the phrase in mind while watching the box.

The Guardian

It follows criticism over recent weeks of Ukip with many condemning their perceived hypocritical actions.

Independent

He has tired over recent weeks, but Mourinho leans heavily upon him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more specific timeframe would be more appropriate, such as "in the past three weeks" or "since the beginning of the month", to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "over recent weeks" when referring to events that occurred several months ago. This phrase implies a very recent period, and using it for events further in the past can mislead your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over recent weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase, specifically an adverbial phrase of time. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating when something occurred. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over recent weeks" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate a timeframe spanning the weeks immediately preceding the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to provide temporal context and is suitable for a neutral register. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "in recent weeks" or "during the past few weeks". When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the timeframe remains recent and relevant to the information being presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in recent weeks

Omits the preposition "over", creating a slightly more direct and concise phrase.

during the past few weeks

Replaces "recent" with "past few", offering a more descriptive and less idiomatic expression.

in the last several weeks

Substitutes "recent" with "last several", emphasizing the duration of the period.

for the last few weeks

Uses "for" to specify the duration, shifting the emphasis to the length of time.

in the preceding weeks

Employs "preceding" to denote the weeks leading up to the present, sounding more formal.

lately

A single-word adverb that captures the sense of 'recently', offering a more concise option.

in recent times

Broadens the timeframe to 'times' instead of 'weeks', making it less specific.

these past weeks

Reorders the words and uses "these past" instead of "recent", providing a slightly different emphasis.

in the current weeks

Emphasizes the present timeframe, focusing on the current weeks as opposed to previous ones.

of late

A more archaic and formal way of saying "lately", suitable for certain contexts.

FAQs

What does "over recent weeks" mean?

The phrase "over recent weeks" refers to the period covering the few weeks immediately preceding the present time. It implies a timeframe that is both recent and spans multiple weeks.

What can I say instead of "over recent weeks"?

You can use alternatives like "in recent weeks", "during the past few weeks", or "in the last several weeks" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "over recent weeks" or "in recent weeks"?

Both "over recent weeks" and "in recent weeks" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Over" can sometimes imply a more comprehensive or encompassing view of the period.

How do I use "over recent weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "over recent weeks" to introduce events or trends that have occurred in the immediate past, such as, "Over recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in sales."