past weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the weeks that have recently occurred before the present time. Example: "In the past weeks, we have seen significant changes in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Just take these past weeks.

The Economist

They felt it in the past weeks.

The Guardian

The past weeks have been harder than Crier expected.

The New Yorker

The past weeks have been emotionally turbulent for Ms. Rabe.

The New York Times

In the past weeks, the fun has leached away.

The New Yorker

The past weeks have been "a living nightmare.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I barely missed her this past week.

The Guardian

This past week there was a rash of departures.

The New York Times

The past week has seen the beginnings of a fightback.

Independent

This past week has been especially remarkable for bird life.

The New York Times

Juxtapose that to this past week in Washington D. C.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "past weeks", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe being referred to. For example, specify a starting or ending point if necessary.

Common error

Be specific about the timeframe. Saying just "past weeks" can be vague. Instead, provide context: "In the past three weeks..." or "Since last month..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past weeks" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate a timeframe. It specifies a period of time leading up to the present, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "past weeks" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a period of time leading up to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to be specific about the timeframe to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "recent weeks" or "previous weeks" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous weeks

Replaces "past" with "previous", maintaining the temporal reference.

last few weeks

Specifies a short duration in the past, similar to "past weeks".

recent weeks

Emphasizes the recency of the weeks in question.

prior weeks

Uses "prior" instead of "past", indicating a time before the present.

the weeks before

Rephrases to focus on the weeks leading up to a specific point.

the preceding weeks

A more formal way of saying "the weeks before".

in recent times

A broader phrase referring to a period of time not long ago.

in the last while

Informal way to refer at a period not far in the past.

of late

A more literary or old-fashioned way to say "recently".

the last couple of weeks

Highlights a shorter timeframe than simply "past weeks".

FAQs

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

You can use "past weeks" to refer to a period of time leading up to the present. For instance, "In the "past weeks", we've seen significant changes in the market".

What can I say instead of "past weeks"?

You can use alternatives like "recent weeks", "previous weeks", or "last few weeks" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in the past weeks" or "over the past weeks"?

Both "in the "past weeks"" and "over the "past weeks"" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Past weeks" generally refers to a period of time leading up to the present, whereas "last weeks" could refer to specific weeks in the past, such as the weeks immediately preceding the current week. However, in practice, they are often used interchangeably.