the preceding month

USAGE SUMMARY

'the preceding month' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the month that came before the current one. For example, "April was a great month for sales, but the preceding month was even better."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

December numbers, which are beginning to come out this week, look even worse than those for the preceding month.

Forbes

In the preceding month, only 172,00 shares had been traded.

The New York Times

Reservations are essential; book for each month on the first day of the preceding month.

The New York Times - Travel

One in 20 parents, or about 3 million people, said they had smoked in the preceding month.

The New York Times - Style

The survey of 7,529 high school students, conducted last spring, found that 28.4percentt reported using tobacco products in the preceding month.

The New York Times

It measures stress appraisal during the preceding month.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The average price in the preceding month was $58.

Forbes

Third, the level of perceived stress was measured for the preceding month.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

During the preceding month, acute medication was used by 90.9%% of the patients and prophylactic medication by 34%%.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Furthermore, during the second year of the study, data were collected every three months retrospectively for the preceding month.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Subjects, 15 20 years old, had either begun antidepressant treatment within the preceding month (n = 88), or had never taken psychiatric medications (n = 92).

Psychiatry Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the preceding month", ensure clarity by specifying the context or timeframe you're referencing. This avoids ambiguity, especially in reports or analyses covering multiple periods.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the specific timeframe. Always make sure it's clear which month "the preceding month" refers to in relation to other dates or events mentioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the preceding month" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied or explicitly stated, such as 'report', 'data', or 'period'). It indicates a specific timeframe relative to the present, designating the month immediately before the current one. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the preceding month" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that precisely indicates the month prior to the current one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable across various contexts, from scientific research and news reports to business documents, though it leans towards a more formal tone than alternatives like "last month". Its main function is to provide a clear temporal reference, enabling accurate discussion and analysis of events within that specific timeframe. When using "the preceding month", clarity is key: ensure the context makes it obvious which month you are referencing to avoid any confusion. The phrase's widespread use ensures it is well understood, making it a reliable choice for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the previous month

Replaces 'preceding' with 'previous', a common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

the month prior

Emphasizes the temporal order, indicating the month that came before.

last month

Uses a more concise and informal term to refer to the month before the current one.

the month before

A simpler phrasing indicating the month immediately before the current one.

the month earlier

Highlights the temporal displacement, suggesting an earlier point in time.

the month just ended

Focuses on the recent completion of the specified month.

the month gone by

Emphasizes that the month has already passed.

the prior month's time frame

Adds specificity by explicitly mentioning a time frame.

the month that preceded this one

Offers a more descriptive and slightly more formal alternative.

the interval one month back

Uses 'interval' to describe the period, sounding more technical.

FAQs

How can I use "the preceding month" in a sentence?

You can use "the preceding month" to refer to the month before the current one. For example, "Sales figures for "the preceding month" showed a significant increase."

What is a more concise way to say "the preceding month"?

A more concise way to say "the preceding month" is "last month". However, "the preceding month" can be more appropriate in formal writing.

Is there a difference between "the preceding month" and "the previous month"?

"The preceding month" and "the previous month" are largely interchangeable. Both refer to the month that came before the current one, with no significant difference in meaning or usage.

When should I use "the preceding month" instead of "last month"?

Use "the preceding month" in formal or technical writing when precision is important. "Last month" is suitable for informal contexts.