preceding period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding period" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time frame or duration that comes before the current time or a specific event. Example: "The data collected during the preceding period will be analyzed to identify trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"We are not moving off of a preceding period of euphoria".

The New York Times

It dealt with Soviet life in a more realistic way than had the officially approved literature of the preceding period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tata's third quarter European steel production was little changed from the preceding period, at 3.56m tonnes, and was down 5% on a year earlier.

The Guardian - Business

The targets have usually been social and political fads and abuses, together with the heroes and the clichés of the just preceding period of filmmaking.

The New Yorker

Are you sorry not to have been living there to see the first years of the transition, or were those times even harder than the preceding period?

The New Yorker

Such a movement, with its unpatronising portrayal of working-class life, was clearly a reaction to the stifling conformity of the preceding period.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Analogously to the two preceding periods, the next two electrons are added to the next available orbital, namely, the 6s orbital, producing the next two elements, cesium and barium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In any case, like Euclid's Elements, The Nine Chapters gathered and organized many mathematical achievements (including arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic algorithms) from preceding periods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The peaty palaeosols represent preceding periods of dunefield stabilization.

Sedimentary Geology

The EWS was calculated a posteriori on three preceding periods from the acute deterioration (−12, −24, and −72 h).

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The optimum length of these preceding periods are derived for the two models are different, but a period of 60 days is a compromise acceptable for both latitudes.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data across different timeframes, clearly define what constitutes the "preceding period". This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding period" when you actually mean the period that comes after. "Preceding" refers to what comes before, not after. Double-check your wording to ensure you're referring to the correct timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding period" functions as a noun phrase modifying a noun, typically to specify a time frame that occurred before the current or a specified time. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts like finance, history, and science, indicating a prior duration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preceding period" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the concept of a prior timeframe. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately referring to the past period, as confusing it with "following period" is a common error. Consider alternatives like "previous timeframe" or "prior interval" for variety, but maintain clarity and precision in your writing. With its consistent usage and clear meaning, "preceding period" is a valuable tool for temporal referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preceding phase

It uses "phase" instead of "period", suggesting a specific stage or segment prior to the current one.

prior timeframe

A simpler alternative using "prior" and "timeframe", indicating a time span that came before the current one.

previous timeframe

This alternative uses "timeframe" instead of "period", offering a slightly different connotation of a defined duration.

prior interval

This alternative utilizes "interval" to denote a span of time before the current one, implying a measurable duration.

previous span

It substitutes "period" with "span", which refers to the duration of time between two points.

earlier phase

This alternative substitutes "period" with "phase", suggesting a distinct stage or segment in a process.

earlier duration

This alternative uses "earlier" and "duration", suggesting a length of time before the present.

antecedent timeframe

It replaces "preceding" with "antecedent", indicating something that existed before, and "period" with "timeframe", suggesting a limited duration of time.

preexisting interval

This alternative replaces "preceding" with "preexisting" to highlight that the interval was already there.

beforehand duration

This alternative rephrases the concept by using "beforehand duration", emphasizing the temporal aspect of the period.

FAQs

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

You can use "preceding period" to refer to a time frame before a specific event or the present. For example, "The results from the "preceding period" were compared with the current quarter's data."

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

Alternatives include "prior period", "previous timeframe", or "earlier phase", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "preceding period" and "following period"?

Yes, "preceding period" refers to the period before a specific point in time, while "following period" refers to the period after it. Make sure to use the correct term to avoid confusion.

When is it appropriate to use "preceding period" instead of "previous period"?

Both "preceding period" and "previous period" are generally interchangeable. However, "preceding period" might be slightly more formal and often used in contexts where precise timing is important, while "previous period" is more common in general usage.