proceeding years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceeding years" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct term is "preceding years," which refers to the years that come before a certain point in time. Example: "In the preceding years, we have seen significant changes in the industry."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That victory on the final day could not be repeated in the proceeding years but it was, and is, iconic.

The Guardian - Sport

While Mr. Kozlowski claimed to welcome this heightened board oversight, he at no time disclosed the unauthorized benefits that he had lavished on himself and senior management in the proceeding years".

The New York Times

In the proceeding years, with persistent advocacy, there has been steady progress.

HuffPost

Although Wyangala never became a 'tourist resort', Hailstone's vision for a national playground was fulfilled over the proceeding years.

Wikipedia

In the proceeding years, the hallowed ground of the attack continued to gather symbolic relevance that, at times, created more problems.

Huffington Post

In 2001, the FCC created a set of accounting rules that 'froze' the expenses charged to each line of business to be based on the year 2000, and thus made all proceeding years be based on the percentages from the year 2000.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The book proceeds year by year, and individual stories disappear, to be picked up again a few chapters later.

The Guardian - Books

Participants are asked to recall tests and procedures they underwent during the proceeding year.

BMC Health Services Research

Natural forest loss continues within the Amazon ecosystem, with some areas such as Mato Grosso increasing burnt area in the Amazon biome 3 times more than the proceeding year (2008 2009) [ 60].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Our data is cross-sectional: longitudinal data gives better estimates of incidence, although cross sectional studies such as ours, which ask for changes over the proceeding year, can be used.

BMC Nephrology

9 11 12 There have been 4 880 039 entries published up to 28 May 2015 in the English language alone, with a total of 36 373 672 pages, and an increase of 197 138 articles during the proceeding year.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "preceding years", "subsequent years", or "following years" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Each carries slightly different nuances, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "proceeding years" when you mean the years that came before a certain point. "Preceding years" is the correct term for that, while "proceeding" generally means 'continuing' or 'going forward'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeding years" functions as a noun modifier, attempting to describe a period of time. However, it's often misused where "preceding years" or "subsequent years" would be more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "proceeding years" appears in various sources, Ludwig flags it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is often better conveyed using alternatives like "preceding years" (for past years) or "subsequent years" (for future years). Although present in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, favoring clearer and more accurate language strengthens your writing, particularly in formal or academic contexts. Remember to choose the term that precisely matches the intended timeframe to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequent years

Emphasizes a clear sequence following a specific event or year.

following years

Indicates years that come directly after a specified time.

succeeding years

Suggests a more formal and orderly progression of years.

later years

Broadly refers to years in the future from a reference point, without strict sequential implication.

ensuing years

Highlights years that immediately follow an event, often implying a consequence or result.

years afterward

Uses a more descriptive approach to indicate years after a certain time.

years thereafter

A more formal variant of "years afterward", suitable for legal or historical contexts.

coming years

Focuses on the future aspect of the years in question.

future years

Similar to "coming years", but more general and less immediate.

next years

Refers to the immediate years in the future.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to years that come after a specific year?

The correct phrase is "subsequent years" or "following years". "Proceeding years" is not considered standard English.

What can I say instead of "proceeding years"?

You can use alternatives like "subsequent years", "following years", or "later years" depending on the context.

Is "proceeding years" grammatically correct?

No, "proceeding years" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct term to use is "preceding years" if you are referring to past years or "subsequent years" if referring to future years.

When should I use "preceding years" versus "subsequent years"?

"Preceding years" refers to the years that came before a specific point in time, while "subsequent years" refers to the years that follow. Choose the term that accurately reflects the time frame you are describing.