over the preceding weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over the preceding weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that has just passed, typically when discussing events or changes that occurred during that time. Example: "Over the preceding weeks, we have seen significant improvements in our project outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Over the preceding weeks, Walters had filmed their daily conversations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over the preceding weeks, all productivity at Lehman had more or less come to an end.

The Guardian - Arts

Planning Don't leave everything to the last minute; spread the load over the preceding weeks or even month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There were also small demonstrations in other parts of Syria, including in the capital city, Damascus, where rumblings of discontent had slowly become more pronounced over the preceding weeks.

The New Yorker

Over the preceding weeks, with a casual aside here and there, Jody had done his best to persuade the press corps — and, through them, the Iranians — that a rescue mission had been considered and definitively rejected.

The New Yorker

Over the preceding weeks and months the Likud Party leader had enthusiastically addressed rallies at which posters portrayed Rabin in a Nazi SS uniform or being the target in the cross-hairs of a sniper.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I'd been reading his book Hengeworld (2001) over the preceding week, so I was pleased to meet him.

The Guardian - Books

Maximum temperatures and total precipitation levels were not significant predictors of perceptions of personal experience, either on the day of the study or over the preceding week.

Cornell University

--During thatweek thet the 'Cash for Clunkers' program was launched, GM's small car sales increased 54.8percentt over the preceding week.

Huffington Post

The questionnaire assesses symptoms over the preceding week [ 36].

BMC Palliative Care

The CR food intake was adjusted according to the AL intake measured over the preceding week.

Aging Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over the preceding weeks", ensure the timeframe is clearly defined in relation to the context. For instance, specify the event or point in time that these weeks precede.

Common error

Avoid using "over the preceding weeks" when you actually mean "over the following weeks". "Preceding" refers to weeks that came before, while "following" refers to weeks that will come after. Pay attention to the temporal direction you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the preceding weeks" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, specifying the timeframe in which an action occurred or a state existed. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing trends, events, or conditions during a recent period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over the preceding weeks" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase that serves to provide temporal context, indicating that an action or state occurred in the weeks before a specific event or the present moment. While relatively formal, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in neutral contexts such as news and scientific publications. Some alternative phrases include "in the prior weeks" or "during the previous weeks", but choosing the right phrase depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate its correct and effective use. Consider the context and intended meaning to ensure the appropriate phrase is chosen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the prior weeks

Replaces "preceding" with "prior", offering a more concise alternative.

during the previous weeks

Substitutes "preceding" with "previous", emphasizing that the weeks occurred before the current time.

throughout the last few weeks

Uses "last few" to indicate a recent period, implying a shorter timeframe than "preceding weeks".

in the weeks leading up to

Focuses on the period as preparation for a specific event or time.

in recent weeks

Highlights the recency of the period, suitable when the exact timeframe isn't critical.

in the past several weeks

Specifies a range of weeks in the past, adding a degree of precision.

for the last few weeks

Emphasizes the duration of a situation or trend.

during those prior weeks

Uses "those" to refer to a specific set of weeks already mentioned.

in the run-up of some weeks

Implies that a period of preparation for an event or action has taken place.

over the prior course of weeks

This alternative extends the phrase while maintaining the original meaning.

FAQs

What's the difference between "over the preceding weeks" and "over the past weeks"?

While both phrases refer to a period in the past, "over the preceding weeks" is more formal and often used when referring to a specific, defined period. "Over the past weeks" is a more general reference to recent weeks.

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

You can use "over the preceding weeks" to describe a trend, a change, or a series of events that occurred in the weeks before a particular event or time. For example, "Over the preceding weeks, the company's stock price had been steadily declining."

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

Some alternatives include "in the previous weeks", "during the past weeks", or "in recent weeks". Depending on the context, phrases like "in the weeks leading up to" or "for the last few weeks" may also be suitable.

Is "over the preceding weeks" formal or informal?

"Over the preceding weeks" is considered relatively formal. It's appropriate for academic writing, news reports, and professional communication. In more casual contexts, you might prefer using alternatives like "in the past few weeks" or "recently".