prior weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the weeks that occurred before the current week or a specified time frame. Example: "The data collected from the prior weeks indicates a significant increase in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The prior weeks brought a frenzy of papers and passionate debate.

The Economist

That would mean, for instance, that after the Challenger explosion people would have had better memory for all space-related news in the prior weeks.

The New Yorker

Her article struck me as very poignant, in light of all the GMO research I had been doing in the prior weeks.

The New Yorker

Just days earlier, Mr. Madoff had told another senior executive he was struggling to raise cash to cover about $7 billion in requested withdrawals from his clients, and he had appeared "to have been under great stress in the prior weeks," according to the S.E.C. complaint.

The New York Times

Last April, people briefed on the inquiry said virtually every Hollywood company with significant dealings in China had been notified in prior weeks of the inquiry into possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids American companies from making illegal payments to government officials or others to ease the way for operations abroad.

The New York Times

Hence this week's line: the Niners, who lost last week and pulled off sloppy wins against the Giants and the Cardinals the two prior weeks, are giving 13 points over St Louis, an admittedly bad team but one with a little scrap to them.Just for grins, note the Patriots are 20-point favourites over Indianapolis on Monday night.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The prior week's level was the highest since the second week in May.

The New York Times

In the prior week, the index rose to a record 1,317.

The New York Times

The Mortgage Bankers Association of America's mortgage applications index fell 8.1percentto to 862.7 from 939 in the prior week.

The New York Times

The purchase index declined 6.4percentto to 468.8 from the prior week's 500.9.

The New York Times

During any given week, the test each student took depended on the student's performance the prior week.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data or events across different time periods, use "prior weeks" to clearly indicate the weeks immediately preceding the reference point. For example, "Sales this week increased by 15% compared to the "prior weeks"." This provides a precise temporal reference, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "prior weeks" when you actually mean "later weeks" or "subsequent weeks". "Prior" refers to what comes before, not after. For instance, if you're discussing a trend that developed over time, ensure you're using "prior weeks" to refer to the initial period, not the more recent one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior weeks" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a period of time before the current or specified week, adding a temporal dimension to the context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prior weeks" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the weeks preceding a particular time frame. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources demonstrates its widespread application, particularly in news and media and science domains. While "previous weeks" is a close synonym, "preceding weeks" serves as a more formal alternative. When using "prior weeks", ensure it correctly reflects the temporal order, referring to what came before, not after. Use the phrase to add clarity and temporal precision in your writing, as the examples given here demonstrate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous weeks

Replaces "prior" with "previous", offering a synonymous term that maintains the same temporal reference.

earlier weeks

Substitutes "prior" with "earlier", suggesting a time frame situated further in the past.

preceding weeks

Uses "preceding" instead of "prior", providing a more formal alternative with similar temporal meaning.

weeks before

Rephrases the expression to emphasize the temporal sequence, indicating weeks that came before a certain point.

past weeks

Employs "past" in place of "prior", offering a simpler and more direct alternative.

the weeks leading up to

Expands the phrase to specify a sequence of weeks that directly precede a particular event or time.

recent weeks

Shifts the focus to the recency of the weeks, implying they are not too distant in the past.

weeks in the past

Offers a more descriptive way to refer to weeks that have already occurred.

former weeks

Utilizes "former" instead of "prior", suggesting the weeks were relevant or significant in the past.

the immediately preceding weeks

Adds emphasis on the immediacy of the weeks leading up to the present or a specific time.

FAQs

What is the difference between "prior weeks" and "previous weeks"?

The terms "prior weeks" and "previous weeks" are largely interchangeable and can be used to refer to the weeks that came before the current week or a specific point in time. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, as they convey essentially the same meaning.

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

You can use "prior weeks" to compare past events or data with current ones. For example, "The company's profits have increased significantly compared to the "earlier weeks" of the quarter."

Are there more formal alternatives to "prior weeks"?

Yes, a more formal alternative would be "preceding weeks". This term is suitable for academic or professional writing where a higher level of formality is desired.

Is "prior weeks" grammatically correct?

Yes, "prior weeks" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to refer to the weeks leading up to the present week or a specified time. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules.