previous periods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous periods" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It refers to a time frame that has already passed or occurred before the current moment. Example: "The company's profits have been declining for the past three quarters, but they hope to see an increase in the upcoming quarter to make up for the losses in previous periods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Permira has ridden out previous periods of uncertainty.

The New York Times

They had taken one shot only once in the 243 previous periods played this season.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, as in previous periods of euphoria over China stocks, some analysts are urging caution.

The New York Times

They reduced earnings for previous periods a little more than FirstEnergy had estimated in early August.

The New York Times

Compared to previous periods during which uncertainty has risen sharply, these assumptions don't seem unreasonable.

The New Yorker

In Middle Eastern art from previous periods, figures were almost always shown in profile.

Britannica

In previous periods of economic growth, the wages of most workers rose early in the upturn.

The New York Times

Previous periods of financial turmoil have encouraged women to, at the very least, delay childbearing.

The Washington Post

The rate had slowed in previous periods but never this substantially, researchers said.

The New York Times - Health

The joined-block method was used with much greater frequency than in previous periods.

Britannica

In order to provide an insight for historical research, this section also addresses previous periods.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the timeframe you are referencing is clearly defined earlier in your text so the word "periods" has a specific meaning (e.g. days, months, or geological eras).

Common error

Do not use "previous periods" if there is no clear 'current period' established in the context. Without a reference point, the phrase becomes ambiguous and leaves the reader unsure exactly when these periods occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous periods" functions as a noun phrase typically used as the object of a preposition or a direct object. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote specific blocks of time that occurred before the present. It acts as a temporal marker that facilitates comparison between different data sets or historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "previous periods" is a highly reliable and sophisticated phrase for any form of analytical writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide acceptance across various prestigious domains, from financial news in The Wall Street Journal to scientific research in BioMed Central. It is most effective when used to compare current statistics or observations against historical data points. Whether you are writing a business report, a scientific paper, or a news article, using this phrase ensures clarity and professional tone. Always remember to define the duration of your 'periods' to maintain maximum precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior periods

More common in accounting, legal, or highly formal business documentation.

earlier periods

A slightly more neutral and descriptive alternative often used in historical contexts.

past periods

Simple and direct, often used when referring generally to times that have gone by.

preceding periods

Emphasizes the chronological order, implying the periods immediately before the current one.

former periods

Carries a slightly more literary or formal tone, often used in historical or artistic analysis.

earlier intervals

Shifts focus to specific, measured segments of time rather than general durations.

previous stages

Focuses on steps in a process or development rather than just the passage of time.

past phases

Suggests a change in state or character during those specific timeframes.

previous eras

Implies much longer, distinct historical epochs rather than short reporting periods.

bygone periods

A more poetic or nostalgic way to refer to the distant past.

FAQs

How to use "previous periods" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare data, for example: "The company's performance in the current quarter is significantly better than in "previous periods"."

What can I say instead of "previous periods"?

You can use alternatives like "prior periods", "earlier periods", or "past periods" depending on the context.

Which is more formal, "previous periods" or "past periods"?

"previous periods" is generally considered more formal and is the preferred choice in scientific, academic and business writing.

What is the difference between "previous periods" and "previous eras"?

While "previous periods" often refers to short or medium durations like months or years, "previous eras" usually describes much longer, distinct historical or geological spans of time.