past few weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

"past few weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time in which events have occurred over the preceding weeks, such as in the sentence "We have seen a dramatic increase in demand over the past few weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Take the past few weeks.

The New York Times

Over the past few weeks, Washington has seemed dysfunctional.

The New York Times

The impossible has happened in the past few weeks.

The New York Times

In the past few weeks, the disease has gone global.

Independent

Four dead hawks within the past few weeks.

The New York Times

New horrors have been revealed in the past few weeks.

The New York Times

However, something has changed in the past few weeks.

The New York Times

IN THE past few weeks, Kenyans have been celebrating.

The Economist

But the past few weeks have seen profound change.

The New Yorker

But something rare has happened the past few weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

The past few weeks have seen a change in McCain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "past few weeks", ensure the context clearly establishes the starting and ending points of the timeframe to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify dates or events relative to the period.

Common error

Avoid using "past few weeks" without a clear reference point. Instead of saying "Things have been hectic the past few weeks", be more specific: "Things have been hectic the past few weeks, since the project launch".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past few weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to specify when an action occurred or a state existed. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past few weeks" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to denote a recent period leading up to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a valid and widely accepted expression. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to provide a temporal reference for events, changes, or trends. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by establishing a clear reference point. Alternative phrases such as "recent weeks" or "last several weeks" can be used interchangeably, depending on the specific context and nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last several weeks

Emphasizes the recency of the period, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the immediate past.

recent weeks

Focuses on the recency of the weeks in question, offering a concise alternative.

previous couple of weeks

Highlights the two weeks immediately preceding the present, specifying the duration more precisely.

prior weeks

Suggests weeks that came before the present one, without specifying an exact number but implying a recent timeframe.

the foregoing weeks

Presents the weeks as preceding the current moment, formal tone.

the weeks leading up to now

Describes the period as one culminating in the present, emphasizing a progression.

in the weeks just gone

Conveys a sense of finality, as the weeks are completely over and past, with a casual tone.

last few days

Contracts the timeframe to a shorter duration, focusing on the most immediate past.

in recent times

Offers a broader, more general way to reference a recent period without specifying weeks.

as of late

Implies a sense of something having started or changed during the specified period.

FAQs

How do I use "past few weeks" in a sentence?

Use "past few weeks" to indicate a period of time leading up to the present. For example, "The company's stock price has surged in the "past few weeks"".

What is a synonym for "past few weeks"?

Alternatives to "past few weeks" include "recent weeks", "last several weeks", or "previous couple of weeks". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "recent weeks" or "past few weeks"?

"Recent weeks" and "past few weeks" are generally interchangeable and have a similar level of formality. However, "recent weeks" may sound slightly more formal in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "past few weeks" and "last few weeks"?

"Past few weeks" and "last few weeks" are often used interchangeably to refer to the period immediately preceding the present. The difference is very subtle and depends on the context. Generally both phrases are valid.