past months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past months" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a period of time in the recent past, typically within the last few months. Example: "I have been traveling consistently for the past few months, visiting new countries and experiencing different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Over the past months, we've seen a fascinating phenomenon.

The New York Times

"We've become very economical over the past months," she said.

The New York Times

The nonfarm payrolls report was better than in past months.

The New York Times

But the President has changed in these past months.

The New Yorker

"But the past months have seen a lack of leadership".

The New York Times

"It had been wading through treacle over the past months.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"This stability was not achieved throughout the past months.

The New York Times

But in the past months, those relationships have frayed.

The New York Times

Over past months, Penthouse has struggled to meet printing costs.

The Guardian

In past months, recruitment had been boosted by the lack of jobs elsewhere in the economy.

The Economist

Those distress sales have picked up speed in the past months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "past months", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific timeframe you're referencing. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the exact number of months if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "past months" when a more precise timeframe is needed. If referring to a specific period, such as the last three months of the year, state it explicitly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past months" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying a timeframe relative to the present. It is often used to provide context or indicate the period over which an action or event has occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "past months" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a period of time immediately preceding the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, particularly in news and media, to provide a temporal context. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure clarity regarding the specific timeframe. Consider alternatives such as "recent months" or "previous months" for nuanced meaning. The frequency of its use in news sources indicates its role in reporting on recent events and trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recent months

Emphasizes the recency of the months in question.

previous months

Focuses on the months that came directly before the current one.

last few months

Highlights the limited number of months being referred to.

the last several months

Similar to "last few months" but allows for a slightly larger number of months.

the months before

A more general way of referring to the preceding months.

the months leading up to now

Highlights the connection to the current moment.

in recent times

Broader term including months, but also possibly longer periods.

earlier months

Focuses on the fact that those months happened earlier in time.

the foregoing months

A more formal or literary way to say "previous months".

the months gone by

Emphasizes that the months have already passed.

FAQs

How do I use "past months" in a sentence?

You can use "past months" to refer to a period of time leading up to the present. For example, "The company's profits have increased significantly in the "past months"".

What are some alternatives to "past months"?

Some alternatives include "recent months", "previous months", or "last few months" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "previous months" instead of "past months"?

While both are acceptable, "previous months" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "past months". The choice depends on the overall tone of your writing.

How does "past months" differ from "last months"?

"Past months" refers to a general period before now, while "last months" usually implies specific named months (e.g. "the last months of the year").