preceding year

USAGE SUMMARY

"preceding year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the previous year in a year-to-year comparison. For example, "Sales in the preceding year were higher than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

than during any preceding year.

Cornell University

The application deadline is in December of the preceding year.

Yale University

Results: Osteoporosis was found in 15% of the patients, 19% reported 1 or more falls during the preceding year, and 1.8% had a fracture during the preceding year.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Design: Retrospective survey of current osteoporosis in relation to falls and fractures in the preceding year.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

These assessments were compared to similar on-the-ground assessments made during the preceding year.

Ecological Indicators

The agency had received reports of neglect and abuse involving the family in the preceding year.

The New York Times

This improvement, however, was far less than the $33.6 billion reduction achieved in the preceding year.

The New York Times

Indeed, most applications must be filed by early November of the preceding year.

Princeton University

It represents the nuisances the community has had to put up with during the preceding year.

Yale University

The timeframe for enquiry was the preceding year.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This was a 16.6% increase over the preceding year.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data across years, use "preceding year" to clearly indicate the year directly before the one being discussed. This enhances clarity, especially in technical or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding year" when you mean a year further in the past. This phrase specifically denotes the year directly before the current one, not any arbitrary past year.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding year" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a particular year in relation to the present, indicating the year that comes immediately before the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

27%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preceding year" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that refers to the year immediately before the current one. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English. Its formality makes it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. While alternatives like "previous year" exist, "preceding year" offers a precise and clear way to indicate temporal context. Remember to use it correctly to avoid confusion with years further in the past. The phrase is used in different contexts, mainly scientific, academic, news and business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the immediately preceding year

Emphasizes the direct and unbroken sequence of years.

previous year

A more common and slightly less formal synonym.

prior year

Similar in meaning, but may suggest a slightly more distant past.

last year

The most direct and common way to refer to the year before the current one.

year before

A more informal and conversational alternative.

earlier year

Broader; could refer to any year before the present, not necessarily the immediately preceding one.

the past year

Emphasizes that the year has already taken place.

year-ago

Often used in business or financial contexts to indicate a comparison to the same period in the previous year.

the annum before

A more formal and less common way to say "the year before".

the year before last

Refers to the year two years before the current one.

FAQs

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

You can use "preceding year" to refer to the year immediately before the current one. For example, "Sales in the "preceding year" were significantly higher than this year".

What's the difference between "preceding year" and "previous year"?

While both phrases refer to the year before the current one, "preceding year" is slightly more formal. "Previous year" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Can I use "preceding year" to refer to any year in the past?

No, "preceding year" refers specifically to the year immediately before the current one. For other years, use terms like "earlier year" or specify the exact year.

What are some alternatives to "preceding year"?

Alternatives include "prior year", "earlier year", or simply "last year", depending on the context and level of formality.