period preceding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "period preceding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time frame or duration that comes before a specific event or date. Example: "The data collected during the period preceding the election was crucial for our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The period preceding World War I was probably Kandinsky's most innovative.

The New York Times - Arts

"Anger was much more common in the period preceding the arrhythmias than in the control group".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company refused to comment for this article, citing a "quiet period" preceding the IPO.

The Guardian

Jāhilīyah, in Islām, the period preceding the revelation of the Qurʾān to the Prophet Muḥammad.

Britannica

His execution made him a martyr of the period preceding the Philippine Revolution.

Britannica

In the period preceding California's stem cell vote, advocates included scientists and biotechnology executives, Hollywood celebrities and patients.

The New York Times

Finally, the present study focuses on US sources during the period preceding and following the 2016 US presidential election.

Nature

All behavioral experiments were performed in the 4-hour period preceding lights off and under the same conditions as rearing.

Nature

notwithstanding section 2273(b) of this title, the one-year period preceding the one-year period described in paragraph (2).

Cornell University

for any other purpose, during the 1-year period preceding the date on which the request is made.

Cornell University

During the period preceding the unification of Italy, Belgioioso was the seat of a secret political society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "period preceding", ensure the context clearly defines what event or date the period is leading up to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "period preceding" without specifying a clear timeframe or event. For example, instead of "changes in the period preceding", write "changes in the month preceding the election".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "period preceding" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to specify a time interval before a particular event or point in time. Ludwig highlights its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "period preceding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig confirms, it's common in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts to specify a time frame before a specific event. For clarity, ensure to clearly define the event to which the period refers. While alternatives exist, "period preceding" offers a clear and concise way to indicate temporal context in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time leading up to

This alternative emphasizes the build-up or progression towards a specific event.

interval before

This phrase uses a more general term for time and maintains a formal tone.

duration preceding

This emphasizes the length of time that comes before.

phase prior to

This alternative is suitable when referring to a specific stage or part of a process.

the pre-event timeframe

A concise, modern way to refer to the time before an event.

the weeks prior

This specifies the duration as weeks instead of a more general "period".

the days before

Similar to weeks prior, but specifies a shorter duration.

antecedent period

This phrase offers a more formal and technical alternative.

moment before

This refers to a very short duration immediately before an event.

the preliminary stage

This focuses on the initial phase that precedes something.

FAQs

How can I use "period preceding" in a sentence?

You can use "period preceding" to refer to a time frame before a specific event, like: "The study focused on the period preceding the economic crisis".

What are some alternatives to "period preceding"?

You could use phrases like "time leading up to", "interval before", or "phase prior to" depending on the context and desired level of formality. See also: "time leading up to", "interval before", "phase prior to".

Is "period preceding" formal or informal?

The phrase "period preceding" is generally considered neutral to formal and appropriate for academic, professional, and news contexts.

How does "period preceding" differ from "following period"?

"Period preceding" refers to the time before a specific event, while "following period" refers to the time after that event.