proceeding month

USAGE SUMMARY

"proceeding month" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the month before the current month. For example: "Sales increased by 10% in the proceeding month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Following his win against Edge, Cena began an angle with Kevin Federline, which started the proceeding month at Cyber Sunday and lasted throughout the year.

Wikipedia

Personnel on the established government civil service received their salaries regularly on the first week of the proceeding month while those that remained on the irregular payroll still suffered from delays in their payments.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But why weren't there countless others in the months proceeding November's Vanity Fair piece in which Dylan, now a fully grown woman, came forward and embraced her voice and the validity of the claims she was too scared to make on the stand as a terrified seven year old?

Vice

Moreover, job growth has been unstable, proceeding from month to month in fits and starts.

The New York Times

He faces a judicial ethics proceeding next month for defying an order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building.

The New York Times

RadioShack's makeover is proceeding: a month after its Super Bowl commercial aired, the company announced plans to close more than a thousand stores.

The New Yorker

The dispute has been proceeding since February, according to the most recent filing, dated Nov. 8.

The New York Times

If not, we look forward to proceeding in March".

The New York Times

On the other hand, if Wagner keeps accumulating blown saves as the Mets proceed through August and September, it will be a lot harder for them to qualify for the postseason.

The New York Times - Sports

Dunedin City Council approved the new stadium in March 2008, land acquisition proceeded from August to October of that year, and the new venue opened in August 2011, in time for the World Cup.

Wikipedia

Coincidentally, Iran is the team Bosnia meets in its last group-stage game in Brazil, and must probably beat to proceed, later this month.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceeding month" in formal contexts where a precise and somewhat elevated tone is appropriate. For instance, when discussing financial reports or legal documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "proceeding month" when you actually mean the next month. "Proceeding" refers to what comes before, not after. For the next month, use "following month" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeding month" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifies which month is being referred to, indicating the month that comes before the current one. Ludwig AI validates this usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceeding month" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the month prior to the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's more formal than alternatives like "previous month" or "last month". It is most commonly found in news media, scientific publications, and Wikipedia, where clarity and precision are valued. When choosing between "proceeding month" and its alternatives, consider the formality of your writing context to ensure the most appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preceding month

A formal synonym, switching the order of "proceeding".

previous month

Replaces "proceeding" with "previous" for simpler wording.

prior month

Substitutes "proceeding" with "prior", offering a slightly more formal tone.

month before

Uses a more direct and common construction to indicate the preceding month.

last month

Indicates the month immediately before the current one in common language.

the month preceding

Reverses the order for emphasis on the temporal relationship.

earlier month

A broader term indicating a month in the past but not necessarily the one immediately before.

month beforehand

Emphasizes the temporal sequence with "beforehand".

month in advance

Changes focus to the concept of being ahead in time.

a month prior

Another variation using "prior", shifting the emphasis.

FAQs

What does "proceeding month" mean?

The term "proceeding month" refers to the month that comes before the current month. It's synonymous with "previous month" or "prior month".

Is it correct to use "proceeding month" in formal writing?

Yes, "proceeding month" is suitable for formal writing, such as legal documents or financial reports, where precise language is needed. A phrase like "previous month" may be more common in everyday contexts.

How does "proceeding month" differ from "following month"?

"Proceeding month" refers to the month that came before, while "following month" refers to the month that comes after. They are opposites in terms of time reference.

What are some alternatives to "proceeding month"?

Alternatives to "proceeding month" include "previous month", "prior month", or "month before". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.