over the previous

USAGE SUMMARY

"over the previous" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to something that happened or existed before a certain point in time. Example: "Over the previous year, the company had seen a significant increase in profits." In this sentence, "over the previous year" means that during the year before the current point in time, the company experienced an increase in profits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was a significant increase over the previous year's activities.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In China's case over the previous 180 day period.

Columbia University

AXA's business had grown rapidly over the previous decades.

Yale University

It had gained 6.8percentt over the previous four sessions.

The New York Times

That's a 100-fold increase over the previous three months".

The Guardian

"In January, we grew 40percentt over the previous month".

The New York Times

But it ended with little improvement over the previous year.

The New York Times - Food

Ratings increased 17percentt over the previous season.

The New York Times - Arts

Was that person also listening over the previous weekend?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The time for resolutions and reflections over the previous year.

HuffPost

Cena's earnings are up $2 million over the previous year.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data "over the previous" period, always specify the unit of time (day, week, month, year) to provide clear context for the reader. For example, "Sales increased by 15% over the previous quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "over the previous" with vague timeframes. Instead of saying "improvements over the previous", specify the timeframe. Use "improvements over the previous three months" or "improvements over the previous year" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the previous" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb by specifying a timeframe or period preceding a particular event or point in time. This provides context and enables comparisons, as evidenced by the numerous examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over the previous" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify a period immediately preceding a particular event or reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, indicating it is appropriate for a wide range of writing contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals its frequent appearance in news and academic writing, emphasizing its utility in providing temporal context and enabling comparisons. When using the phrase, be mindful to specify the unit of time, as mentioned in the writing guidance, to ensure clarity. Common errors usually involve vague timeframe that can be avoided by being more specific. Closely related are phrases like "in the preceding" and "during the prior", although these may have slight differences in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the preceding

More formal and emphasizes sequence.

during the prior

Similar, but uses "prior" which can sometimes imply importance or preference.

before the current

Highlights the contrast with the present time.

prior to this

Directly indicates a temporal sequence.

in the foregoing

More literary, often used in formal writing to refer to something already mentioned.

leading up to

Focuses on the period immediately before an event.

in the days before

More specific to shorter time frames.

in the months before

Emphasizes months as time frame before

in the years before

Emphasizes years as time frame before

in advance of

Suggests preparation or anticipation related to a future event.

FAQs

How can I use "over the previous" in a sentence?

Use "over the previous" to indicate a period before a specific point in time. For example, "Profits increased significantly over the previous quarter."

What are some alternatives to "over the previous"?

Consider alternatives like "in the "preceding"", "during the "prior"", or "before the current" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "over the previous" or "during the previous"?

Both "over the previous" and "during the previous" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Over the previous" emphasizes a duration, while "during the previous" focuses on an occurrence within that duration.

What's the difference between "over the previous" and "in the past"?

"Over the previous" typically refers to a specific timeframe leading up to a current event, offering a direct comparison. "In the past" is more general, referring to any time before the present.