the preceding months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the preceding months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the months that came before a specific point in time or event. Example: "The sales figures have improved significantly compared to the preceding months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A strange interlude, having been no further west than Buttermere in the preceding months.

The Guardian - Books

The places were filled following a thoroughgoing outreach that had taken place in the preceding months.

The New Yorker

Over the preceding months the two leaders had an intimate working relationship, the letters show.

The Guardian

Final preparations for an arrest require no less improvisation than the preceding months.

The New York Times

In the preceding months, both their mother, Chrissie, and their aunt Bridie Dolan had died.

The New Yorker

Neither recalled him being particularly upset about anything in the preceding months.

The New Yorker

The preceding months have the prestige titles and the intriguing independent projects.

The New York Times

The artistic material generated in the preceding months was as tailored as it was vast.

The New York Times - Arts

They told me Khamis Qaddafi's soldiers had taken over the entire area in the preceding months.

The New York Times - Magazine

The increase was unexpectedly modest compared with the preceding months, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5percentt.

The New York Times

In the preceding months, each pixel in "The Unicorn in Captivity" had been crunched through many billions of calculations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the preceding months", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point in time. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands which months are being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "the preceding months" without a clear reference point. For example, instead of saying "Sales increased compared to the preceding months", specify "Sales increased in July compared to the preceding months of April, May and June".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the preceding months" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier. It specifies a time frame prior to a particular event or point in time. Ludwig examples showcase this usage in various contexts, such as business reports and historical accounts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the preceding months" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a period before a specific time or event. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse sources, including news, science, and general reference materials. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, providing temporal context and often serving as a baseline for comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests that while alternatives like "the prior months" or "the previous months" exist, the choice often depends on stylistic preference. Therefore, when employing "the preceding months", ensure a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the prior months

Replaces "preceding" with "prior", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different tone.

the previous months

Substitutes "preceding" with "previous", offering a common and semantically identical alternative.

the months before

Uses a simpler structure, focusing on the temporal sequence.

the months leading up to

Emphasizes the build-up or progression towards a particular event or time.

in the months leading up

Similar to 'the months leading up to', but with a slightly altered grammatical structure.

the past few months

Highlights a recent duration of time, maintaining the temporal context.

the earlier months

Focuses on the comparative aspect of time, indicating months that came before.

the months just gone by

Offers a more informal way to express the concept of recent months.

in recent months

Highlights the recency of the period being discussed.

the period before

Broadens the scope to any period, not specifically months, allowing for flexibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "the preceding months" to refer to the months that came before a specific point in time. For example: "The company's performance improved significantly compared to "the preceding months"."

What is a more formal alternative to "the preceding months"?

A more formal alternative to "the preceding months" is "the prior months". This maintains a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

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

The phrases "the preceding months" and "the previous months" are largely interchangeable and have the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.

When should I use "the preceding months" versus "in recent months"?

"The preceding months" refers to a specific period leading up to a defined point. "In recent months" is more general, indicating a period in the recent past without a specific end point.