previous three months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous three months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a time period that occurred before the current month, specifically the three months leading up to now. Example: "The sales data for the previous three months shows a significant increase in revenue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a 100-fold increase over the previous three months".

The Guardian

But revenues were flat compared with the previous three months.

The Guardian - Tech

Over the previous three months sales had slumped 4%.

The Guardian - Business

In the previous three months, sales declined by 1.1%.

The Guardian - Business

Exports rose almost 11percentt from the previous three months.

The New York Times

It was 16% up on the previous three months and nearly 22% up year on year.

The Guardian

Eight of the BBC's eleven national stations lost listeners compared with the previous three months.

The Guardian

Consumer spending growth slipped to 1.8% from 2.5% in the previous three months.

The Guardian - Business

Relatively small, then, but 1.,333% up on the slot average over the previous three months.

The Guardian

The economy expanded by a fractional 0.1percentt in the previous three months.

The New York Times

The Echo's sale in the previous three months had averaged 35,562.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data across different timeframes, use "previous three months" consistently to maintain clarity and avoid confusion. For example, if you're reporting sales figures, always specify whether you're comparing them to the "previous three months", the "same quarter last year", or another benchmark.

Common error

Ensure that the verb tense agrees with the timeframe indicated by "previous three months". For example, avoid saying "sales will increase compared to the previous three months"; instead, use "sales increased compared to the previous three months" or "sales are projected to increase compared to the previous three months".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous three months" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, specifying a timeframe. It's used to define a period of time for comparison or reference, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous three months" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the three-month period immediately preceding the current month. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When writing, ensure your verb tenses align with this timeframe and consider alternatives like "last quarter" or "prior three months" to suit different levels of formality. Consistency in using this phrase, especially in comparative analyses, enhances clarity. Remember, while similar to "last three months", "previous three months" often conveys a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the past three months

Highlights the period as one recently concluded, akin to "previous three months".

the three months before

Directly indicates a period leading up to a specific point in time, maintaining clarity.

the last three-month period

A more descriptive and explicit phrasing of the same concept, useful for clarity.

three months prior

Similar in meaning but with a different word order, indicating the period before the current one.

earlier three months

Emphasizes that the period occurred before the present, providing a similar sense of sequence.

last quarter

Refers to the most recent three-month period, typically aligned with business or calendar quarters. Implies a more formal or structured timeframe.

the months just past

Suggests the recency of the three-month period, highlighting its closeness to the present.

immediately preceding months

Highlights the adjacency of the three-month period to the current time, emphasizing sequence.

prior trimester

Common in academic or medical contexts, denoting the preceding three-month interval within a longer study or condition.

preceding 90 days

A more precise and less common way to specify the timeframe, emphasizing the exact number of days.

FAQs

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

Use "previous three months" to refer to the three-month period immediately preceding the current month. For example, "Our sales have increased by 15% compared to the "previous three months"".

What's a good alternative to "previous three months"?

Alternatives include "last quarter", "past three months", or "prior three months". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

Both phrases are generally acceptable, but "previous three months" is often considered more formal and precise, especially in business or academic writing. "Last three months" is more common in informal contexts.

When should I use "previous three months" versus "earlier three months"?

"Previous three months" refers specifically to the three months immediately before the current month. "Earlier three months" is more general and could refer to any three-month period in the past, not necessarily the most recent one.