previous months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any of the months preceding the current one. For example, "The business saw a decrease in sales in the previous months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Demand in previous months was revised downward.

The New York Times

(Previous months website additions: January and February).

Cornell University

Selections from previous months are also available.

Harvard University

Not that the few previous months were not busy.

The New York Times

Chekov recalls their previous months together in England.

The New Yorker

But Con Ed cautions against comparing with previous months.

The New York Times

As in previous months, it cannot find any.

The Guardian - Business

And there are others where both decrease from previous months.

The Washington Post

In previous months it had lost much ground.

The Economist

Included in the latest report were revisions for previous months.

The New York Times

Mr. Keel had spent the previous months practicing this day's words with a therapist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data or trends, always specify the exact range of "previous months" you are referencing to avoid ambiguity. For example, use "the previous three months" instead of just "previous months".

Common error

Avoid using "previous months" without providing context or a specific timeframe, as it can lead to confusion. Always ensure that the reader understands which months you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous months" functions as a temporal modifier, specifying a period of time preceding the current month. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to compare data, describe trends, and provide context by referring to the period before the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous months" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the months preceding the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its primary function is to provide a temporal reference for comparison and context across diverse fields like news, academia, and business. While its register is mostly neutral, specifying the timeframe helps avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "preceding months" or "prior months" can be used depending on the desired level of formality, but remember to provide clear context for accurate and effective communication. Its high frequency and broad applicability make "previous months" a valuable tool for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preceding months

Uses a more formal term, "preceding", to indicate months that came before.

prior months

Emphasizes the temporal order, indicating months that occurred earlier.

earlier months

Simple and direct, highlighting the earlier position in time.

past months

Focuses on the completed or elapsed time period.

the months before

Adds a slight emphasis, specifying that the months occurred immediately before the present.

months leading up to

Highlights the idea of progression and preparation towards a specific point in time.

the recent past

A more general term, referring to the time not long ago.

the last few months

Specifies a limited number of months immediately before the present.

in recent times

More general, referring to a non-specific period in the recent past.

of late

An idiomatic expression indicating 'recently' or 'lately'.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous months" to refer to a period before the current month, as in, "Sales have declined compared to the "previous months".".

What's a more formal alternative to "previous months"?

A more formal alternative would be "preceding months", which carries a similar meaning but sounds more professional.

Is it correct to say "the last months" instead of "previous months"?

While "the last months" is understandable, ""previous months"" is more precise when discussing a trend or comparison against an established timeframe.

How does "previous months" differ from "recent months"?

"Previous months" specifically refers to the months immediately before the current month, while "recent months" implies a more general period in the recent past.