previous week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous week" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the week prior to the one which is currently taking place. For example, "I had a busy previous week, so I need some time to relax this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Highlights from the previous week.

The New York Times

We had it the previous week".

The New York Times - Sports

(That happened the previous week).

The New York Times

Noy had turned 12 the previous week.

The New York Times

The previous week, 22 protesters were killed.

The Washington Post

The agenda is set the previous week by consensus.

Columbia University

The previous week, his team lost at Troy.

The New York Times - Sports

The previous week was the only one smaller.

The New York Times

They had closed the previous week at $16.93.

The New York Times

Claims fell by 3,000 the previous week.

The New York Times

That was up from 9.18 million in the previous week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous week" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify dates or events to provide a reference point.

Common error

Avoid using "previous week" and "last week" interchangeably if there's a potential for confusion. "Last week" typically refers to the most recent complete week, whereas "previous week" can refer to any week prior depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous week" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often implied or stated) to specify a particular week in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous week" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the week preceding the current one. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and appears frequently in diverse sources such as news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "last week" or "the week before" exist, it's essential to consider context to ensure clarity. Remember to establish a clear timeframe when using "previous week", especially in formal writing to avoid ambiguity. Be aware of the subtle difference with "last week", which typically refers to the most recent complete week.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Last week

This is a common and very direct synonym for "previous week".

The week before

This is a more informal and straightforward way of saying "previous week".

Prior week

This is a slightly more formal and concise alternative to "previous week".

Preceding week

This alternative emphasizes the temporal order, highlighting that the week came before the current one.

The week prior

Similar to "prior week", this option offers a slightly more concise way to indicate the week before.

The immediately preceding week

This phrase adds emphasis to the fact that it's the week directly before the current one.

The week gone by

This is a slightly more idiomatic and informal way of referring to the "previous week".

The week before this one

A more descriptive and less formal way of saying "previous week".

The week that just ended

This phrase emphasizes the recent completion of the week being referred to.

A week ago

This alternative uses a time-based measurement to indicate the week before.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous week" to refer to the week before the current one. For example, "The company's earnings were significantly higher than the "previous week"." or "I finished reading that book the "previous week"."

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

Alternatives such as "prior week" or "preceding week" can be used in more formal contexts. For example, "The analysis covers data from the "preceding week"."

How does "previous week" differ from "last week"?

"Last week" generally refers to the most recently completed week. "Previous week" can refer to any week prior, depending on the context. If you mean the most recent full week, use "last week"; otherwise, "previous week" requires a clear point of reference.

Can I use "the week before" instead of "previous week"?

Yes, "the week before" is a perfectly acceptable and often more informal alternative to "previous week". For example, "Sales were down compared to "the week before"" is equivalent to "Sales were down compared to the "previous week"".