previous period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous period" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time frame that occurred before the current one, often in contexts like finance, reporting, or analysis. Example: "The sales figures for the previous period show a significant increase compared to the current quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That growth rate, however, slowed from the previous period.

The New York Times

members to the group's costs in the previous period.

The New York Times

There are major differences with the previous period, of course.

The Guardian

"It could be an image from a previous period".

The New York Times - Arts

Only two public university presidents made $700,000 in the previous period.

The New York Times

More of that is going on right now than in any previous period.

The Washington Post

Art and literature in the Renaissance reached a level unattained in any previous period.

Britannica

Player registrations for USA Hockey, the governing body, rose last season by 3.3percentt over the previous period.

The New York Times

The workforce has been transformed more in half a lifetime than in any previous period in capitalism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Mayer noted that companies like Volkswagen weathered a previous period of dollar weakness, from 1985 to 1995.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the actual events of crisis are communicated far more directly today than at any previous period in history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous period", clearly define the time frame you are referencing to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "previous fiscal period" or "previous quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "previous period" without establishing a clear point of reference. Readers might not understand which specific time frame you are referring to if it is not explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous period" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjectival modifier, specifying a time frame that occurred before the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples demonstrate its use in comparing data or events across different time frames.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous period" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a time frame that occurred before the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It's versatile, appearing in various contexts from news and media to scientific research. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure you define the specific time frame you're referencing to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "prior timeframe" or "earlier phase" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. "Previous period" helps provide a clear reference point for comparisons across different times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior timeframe

Replaces "period" with "timeframe", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

preceding interval

Substitutes "previous" with "preceding" and "period" with "interval", providing a more formal tone.

earlier phase

Replaces "previous period" with a focus on the phase or stage before the current one.

past duration

Uses "duration" instead of "period", emphasizing the length of the preceding time.

historical era

Offers a broader perspective, suggesting a significant time span in the past.

last term

Suitable when referring to academic or political terms.

the period before

A more descriptive and less concise way of expressing the same idea.

the foregoing phase

Similar to "preceding interval" but with a stronger emphasis on sequence.

immediate past

Refers to the time directly before the present, with a focus on recency.

earlier timespan

Focuses on the span of time that came before the current one.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous period" to compare data or events from an earlier time frame to the current one. For example, "Sales increased by 15% compared to the "previous period"." or "The company's profits were significantly lower than in the "previous period"."

What are some alternatives to "previous period"?

Some alternatives include "prior timeframe", "preceding interval", or "earlier phase". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it better to say "previous period" or "prior period"?

Both "previous period" and "prior period" are acceptable. "Previous period" is slightly more common, but "prior period" is also widely understood and used, especially in formal or business contexts.

What's the difference between "previous period" and "recent period"?

"Previous period" refers to the period immediately before the current one. "Recent period" implies a period in the near past, but not necessarily the one directly preceding the present. The choice depends on the specific time frame you want to highlight.