preceding couple of weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding couple of weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the two weeks that came before the current time or event being discussed. Example: "In the preceding couple of weeks, we have seen significant changes in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Over the past three days in Tampa, and during the preceding couple of weeks since the Ryan announcement, the Republicans have effectively carried out a product relaunch, seeking to frame their candidate in a more favorable environment.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Enrolments (which precede issued numbers by some months) should reach 200m in a couple of weeks.

The Economist

His goal is to try to be at his perfect racing weight a couple of weeks before a big event, losing about a pound a week in the preceding weeks to get there.

The New York Times

38% A couple of weeks.

Forbes

Acupuncture worked for a couple of weeks.

The New York Times

Make it "a couple of weeks".

The New York Times

A couple of weeks ago, the I.M.F.

The New Yorker

After a couple of weeks they went.

The Economist

SARS maybe a couple of weeks.

The New Yorker

"Give it a couple of weeks.

The New Yorker

Maybe a couple of weeks.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events or trends, use "preceding couple of weeks" to clearly establish a timeframe, especially when comparing it to a subsequent period. For instance, 'In the "preceding couple of weeks", we observed a decline in sales, followed by a rebound in the current period.'

Common error

Avoid using "preceding couple of weeks" in informal contexts. In casual conversation or less formal writing, simpler alternatives like "last two weeks" or "previous two weeks" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding couple of weeks" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying a time frame relative to a particular event or point in time. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preceding couple of weeks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media, to denote the two weeks immediately before a certain event or time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

While effective for establishing context, consider using simpler alternatives such as "last two weeks" or "previous couple of weeks" in less formal settings. Remember to employ "preceding couple of weeks" when comparing events across distinct time periods to provide clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous two weeks

Uses a more direct and common term for 'previous' instead of 'preceding'.

last two weeks

Emphasizes the recency of the period.

past couple of weeks

Similar to 'last two weeks', but with a slightly different phrasing.

prior fortnight

Uses the more formal term 'fortnight' which means two weeks.

before the last two weeks

Rephrases to specify a time before the most recent two weeks.

the two weeks before

Changes the sentence structure slightly to focus on the weeks leading up to a specific event.

weeks immediately before

Highlights the immediacy of the weeks leading up to a certain point.

the fortnight prior

Combines 'fortnight' for two weeks with 'prior' for before, in a formal tone.

the weeks leading up to

Focuses on the concept of weeks that build up to an event or date.

the immediate past weeks

Stresses the recent nature of the weeks in question.

FAQs

What does "preceding couple of weeks" mean?

The phrase "preceding couple of weeks" refers to the two weeks immediately before a specific time or event that you're discussing. It's a way to define a recent period in the past.

How can I use "preceding couple of weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "preceding couple of weeks" to set a timeframe for an action or event. For example, "In the "preceding couple of weeks", the company launched a new marketing campaign."

Are there any simpler alternatives to "preceding couple of weeks"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "last two weeks", "previous two weeks", or "past couple of weeks". These are generally more common and easier to understand in everyday conversation.

Is it correct to say "previous couple of weeks" instead of "preceding couple of weeks"?

Yes, "previous couple of weeks" is a perfectly acceptable and often more common alternative. Both phrases mean essentially the same thing. The choice between them depends on the desired level of formality.