preceding months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the months that came before the current month or a specific point in time. Example: "The sales figures for the preceding months indicate a steady increase in revenue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A strange interlude, having been no further west than Buttermere in the preceding months.

The Guardian - Books

The places were filled following a thoroughgoing outreach that had taken place in the preceding months.

The New Yorker

Over the preceding months the two leaders had an intimate working relationship, the letters show.

The Guardian

Final preparations for an arrest require no less improvisation than the preceding months.

The New York Times

In the preceding months, both their mother, Chrissie, and their aunt Bridie Dolan had died.

The New Yorker

Neither recalled him being particularly upset about anything in the preceding months.

The New Yorker

There were rumors of overdoses and near-death experiences in the preceding months.

The New Yorker

The preceding months have the prestige titles and the intriguing independent projects.

The New York Times

Consumer prices rose just 0.8% from a year earlier, a sharp decline from preceding months.

The Economist

For the nine preceding months, Dad had struggled with a cancer wrapped around his pancreas.

The New York Times

The artistic material generated in the preceding months was as tailored as it was vast.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preceding months", ensure the context clearly defines the reference point. For example, "In the preceding months before the election..." provides a clear temporal anchor.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding months" without a clear point of reference. Without context, it's unclear which months are being referred to, leading to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding months" functions as a temporal adjective, modifying a noun to specify a timeframe leading up to a particular point. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preceding months" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the months leading up to a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal communication. When using "preceding months", ensure a clear point of reference is established to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "previous months" or "prior months" can be used interchangeably in most cases. The phrase maintains a neutral register and its frequency across diverse sources demonstrates its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous months

Replaces "preceding" with "previous", offering a direct synonym.

prior months

Uses "prior" instead of "preceding", maintaining the temporal context.

earlier months

Substitutes "preceding" with "earlier", highlighting the temporal order.

the months before

Rephrases to specify "the months before" a certain point in time.

past months

Employs "past" to indicate months that have already occurred.

the last few months

Focuses on a recent period, implying the months immediately before the present.

months leading up to

Highlights the period that culminates in a specific event or date.

the months in advance

Indicates a period before something, emphasizing anticipation or preparation.

the foregoing months

A more formal alternative to "preceding months".

immediately prior months

Emphasizes that the months are directly before.

FAQs

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

Use "preceding months" to refer to the months that came before a specific point in time. For example, "Sales increased significantly in the "preceding months" before the holiday season".

What's a good alternative to "preceding months"?

You can use alternatives such as "previous months", "prior months", or "earlier months" depending on the context.

Is "preceding months" formal or informal?

"Preceding months" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "foregoing months" exist if a higher level of formality is required.

What is the difference between "preceding months" and "following months"?

"Preceding months" refers to the months that came before a specific point in time, while "following months" refers to the months that come after. They are opposite in their temporal direction.