recent month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recent month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the month that has just passed or the most current month in a given context. Example: "In the recent month, we have seen a significant increase in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

For June, the most recent month available, student loans totaled $1.18 billion while auto loans totaled $841 million.

The New York Times

IPD, a data provider, says they slumped some 6% in November, the most recent month for which it has statistics.

The Economist

In February, the most recent month for which trade data are available, the dollar was 4.5% cheaper in real terms than a year earlier.

The Economist

As of September, the most recent month for which data are available, 40.1 percent of the unemployed had been looking for work for at least 27 weeks.

The New York Times

As of this past July, the most recent month of data available, there were nearly 48 million, representing about a seventh of the American population.

The New York Times

Close behind was Greece, at 25.1 percent in July, the most recent month for which data were available for that country.

The New York Times

Also, semiconductor sales around the world grew notably in September, the most recent month for industry-wide data.

Forbes

In total, 23,100 people aged 18 to 24 were on the dole in December - the most recent month for which figures are available.

BBC

In December - the most recent month for which data for all nations is available - just over 95% of patients were seen in four hours in England.

BBC

At 9.5% in the most recent month, unemployment is already far higher than the trustees anticipated even this April.

Forbes

And August is the most recent month of available data.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recent month", ensure the context clearly indicates which month is being referred to, especially when discussing data or events over a longer period. For instance, specify the year if the data spans multiple years.

Common error

Avoid using "recent month" without a clear reference point. Without context, readers may not know which month you're referring to, leading to confusion. Always provide specific context or date ranges for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recent month" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "recent" modifies the noun "month". It indicates a specific timeframe close to the present, typically used to provide context for data or events. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "recent month" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the month that has just passed or the most current month available. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is used neutrally and accurately. It appears frequently in contexts such as News & Media and Science. To enhance clarity, it's important to provide a clear reference point, specifying the month and year when necessary. Alternatives like "last month" or "previous month" can be used interchangeably, but "recent month" remains a versatile and acceptable choice in a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous month

Replaces "recent" with "previous", focusing on the month immediately before the current one.

last month

A more common and direct synonym, indicating the month that just concluded.

past month

Similar to "last month", but can also refer to a month within a slightly broader timeframe.

current month

Shifts the focus to the month currently in progress, rather than one in the past.

the month before

A more descriptive way of saying "previous month", adding a bit more emphasis.

prior month

A more formal substitute for "previous month".

latest month

Emphasizes that the month in question is the most up-to-date one for which data is available.

immediately preceding month

A more technical and precise way to specify the month directly before the present.

in recent months

Generalizes the timeframe to include multiple months, not just one.

a month ago

This refers specifically to a period of time one month prior to the present.

FAQs

What does "recent month" mean?

The term "recent month" refers to the month that has just passed or the most current month for which information is available. It is often used when discussing data or events and needs context to be clear.

What can I say instead of "recent month"?

You can use alternatives like "last month", "previous month", or "past month" depending on the context. These alternatives provide similar meaning while offering variety in your writing.

How do I ensure clarity when using the phrase "recent month"?

To ensure clarity, provide a specific reference point. For example, you can say "In the recent month of June" or "Data from the recent month shows..." to avoid ambiguity. Including the year can be helpful as well.

Is "recent month" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, "recent month" is generally acceptable for academic writing, particularly when discussing data or timelines. However, in some contexts, more precise language such as "previous month" or specifying the month directly (e.g., "in June") may be preferable for increased clarity.