previous weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the weeks that have just passed before the current week. Example: "In the previous weeks, we have seen a significant increase in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In previous weeks, the numbers exceeded 20.

The New York Times

Read the poems of previous weeks here.

The Guardian - Books

The previous weeks had taken their toll.

The Guardian

Total: $52.9m Previous weeks' US box office analysis reports.

The Guardian - Film

We didn't overplay, which we had done in previous weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

Week nine is just a recap of the previous weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

The previous weeks' action is an even fainter memory.

The New York Times

It performed significantly worse than the "Survivor" repeats that occupied the slot in previous weeks.

The New York Times

The site posts averages of previous weeks, she said, not real-time data.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Highlights from the previous week.

The New York Times

We had it the previous week".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data or trends, use "previous weeks" to clearly refer to the immediately preceding weeks as a baseline.

Common error

Avoid using "previous weeks" when you actually mean "in the past few months" or a longer, less defined timeframe. Be precise to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous weeks" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier to indicate a timeframe before the present. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous weeks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to reference the weeks immediately preceding the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and applicability across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to provide temporal context and enable comparisons with current events. When using the phrase, ensure that the temporal reference is clear and precise to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "past weeks" or "last few weeks" can be employed for stylistic variation or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past weeks

Uses "past" instead of "previous" to indicate a time before the present, slightly more general.

last few weeks

Specifies a short duration using "few", implying a recent timeframe.

preceding weeks

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", offering a more formal tone.

earlier weeks

Uses "earlier" to denote weeks that occurred before the current one, slightly less specific.

prior weeks

Substitutes "previous" with "prior", maintaining a formal connotation.

weeks before

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate weeks leading up to a specific time.

recent weeks

Emphasizes the nearness in time of the weeks being referenced.

the weeks leading up to

Focuses on the period of time that immediately precedes a specific event or date.

weeks in the past

A more descriptive and general way of referring to weeks gone by.

bygone weeks

Employs "bygone" for a more archaic or literary feel.

FAQs

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

You can use "previous weeks" to refer to a period before the current week. For example: "The company's sales have increased compared to the "previous weeks"".

What's a synonym for "previous weeks"?

Alternatives include "past weeks", "last few weeks", or "earlier weeks", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "the last previous weeks"?

While understandable, "the last "previous weeks"" is somewhat redundant. "The last few weeks" is generally clearer and more concise.

When should I use "previous weeks" versus "recent weeks"?

"Previous weeks" refers to a specific, immediately preceding period. "Recent weeks" is more general and can include weeks further in the past.