prior months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the months that occurred before the current month in a discussion or analysis of time periods. Example: "The sales figures for the current month have improved compared to the prior months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

All plotlines that had been running through the prior months were dropped entirely.

The New York Times - Arts

"We had a reasonable slowdown from prior months," Mr. Girsky said.

The New York Times

Williamson again: Exports are still acting as a drag, but much less so than they have been in prior months.

The Guardian - Business

Manufacturing employment fell 49,000 in July, less than half the amount it had in the three prior months.

The New York Times

To be sure, the unemployment rate had dropped unusually rapidly in prior months.

The Economist

Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, which compiles the data, said: "It merely indicates a cooling of growth from the super-strong pace seen in prior months.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Excluding all fuels, import prices increased 0.4 percent from the prior month.

The New York Times

The report also showed employment plans were steady with the prior month.

The New York Times

Costs of imported automobiles increased 0.5 percent from the prior month, Friday's report showed.

The New York Times

Values were little changed in July from the prior month after adjusting for seasonal changes,.

The New York Times

The group's optimism index decreased to 91.2, the lowest since September, from 91.9 the prior month.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data across different time periods, clearly specify the "prior months" you are referencing to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying 'Sales decreased compared to prior months', specify 'Sales decreased compared to the three prior months'.

Common error

Avoid using "former months" interchangeably with "prior months". While similar, "former" can imply a more distant or less relevant past, whereas "prior" typically refers to the immediately preceding months.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior months" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., data, results, performance). It describes a specific time frame preceding the current month, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “prior months” is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to refer to the months preceding the current one. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and business. While synonyms like "previous months" or "earlier months" exist, "prior months" holds its own, maintaining clarity and professionalism. Remember to be specific about the time frame you are referencing to avoid ambiguity, and don't confuse it with “former months”. Overall, its frequent use indicates that using this term is commonly accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous months

This is a direct synonym, offering nearly identical meaning and usage.

earlier months

Similar to 'previous', but can suggest a slightly more distant timeframe.

preceding months

A more formal alternative, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

past months

A simple and straightforward substitute, easily understood in most situations.

months before

Emphasizes the temporal order, highlighting that these months came before the current one.

the months in question

Useful when specifically referring to a set of months already mentioned.

the aforementioned months

Formal and used to refer to months previously cited in the text.

months leading up to this

Suggests a sequence of events or a trend culminating in the present month.

the months gone by

More evocative and informal, implying a reflection on the past.

the months leading up to the present

Specifies the timeframe in relation to the current moment, offering greater clarity.

FAQs

How do I use "prior months" in a sentence?

You can use "prior months" to refer to the months that occurred before the current month. For example, "The company's profits have increased significantly compared to "previous months"."

What's a good alternative to "prior months"?

Alternatives to "prior months" include "earlier months", "preceding months", or "past months", depending on the context.

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

"Prior months" and "previous months" are largely interchangeable. "Previous months" might be slightly more common in general usage, but "prior months" is perfectly acceptable and understood.

How does the meaning of "prior months" change with different contexts?

The meaning of "prior months" remains consistent across different contexts, always referring to the months before the present. However, the specific implications can vary. For example, in a financial report, it might refer to the immediate fiscal period, while in a historical analysis, it could denote a more distant period.