the preceding two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the preceding two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to two items or points that were mentioned earlier in the text. Example: "In the previous sections, we discussed the benefits of exercise and nutrition; now let's explore the preceding two in more detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This and the preceding two dances passed like a long dirge.

The New York Times - Arts

During the preceding two months, the scandal had been escalating week by week.

The New Yorker

But those of the preceding two sonatas are less immediately involving.

The Guardian - Music

Some Biennials simply recap the commercial activity of the preceding two years.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't think I've slept more than three hours" she said of the preceding two weeks.

The New York Times

Gallup's monumental Pound bibliography of 1963 was built upon materials he had purchased over the preceding two decades.

The Guardian

So health workers had to interview his wife and family to reconstruct what he did during the preceding two weeks.

The New York Times - Science

Epidemiologists talked to Mr. Blanco to learn everything he did for the preceding two to three weeks.

The New York Times - Science

Bar 35 This final pass through the melody is arranged in quite a different manner than the preceding two sections.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When Dr. Cheek arrived at Howard, students had protested living conditions and educational policies for the preceding two years.

The New York Times

But that ignores the budget activity of the preceding two years – which was mostly about cutting nondefense discretionary spending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the preceding two", ensure that the items or concepts you're referring back to are clearly identifiable to avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the preceding two" if there's any chance the reader might not be able to easily identify which two items you're referring to. Be especially careful in long or complex paragraphs where the connection might be lost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the preceding two" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun (implied). It serves to identify specific items by referencing their position in a sequence previously discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the preceding two" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for referring back to two items already mentioned. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and readily usable in writing. Its usage spans across various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "the prior two" or "the previous two" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two prior

Reorders the words and substitutes "preceding" with "prior", keeping the meaning nearly identical.

the previous couple

Uses "previous" instead of "preceding" and "couple" to suggest a pair, maintaining similar meaning.

the former pair

Replaces "preceding" with "former" and "two" with "pair", implying the first of two items already mentioned.

the two earlier

Substitutes "preceding" with "earlier", indicating a reference to something that came before.

the aforementioned couple

Uses "aforementioned" to point back to two items previously specified.

the two above

Refers to two items directly above in a list or text.

the immediately preceding pair

Adds "immediately" to emphasize the direct sequence.

the pair beforehand

Replaces "preceding" with "beforehand", indicating something that occurred earlier.

the two foregoing

Uses "foregoing", a more formal synonym for "preceding".

the earlier mentioned pair

Adds "mentioned" to ensure clarity that the pair has been previously referenced.

FAQs

How do I use "the preceding two" in a sentence?

Use "the preceding two" to refer back to two items or points that have already been mentioned in the text. For example: "We examined method A and method B; the preceding two are most effective".

What's a synonym for "the preceding two"?

Alternatives include "the prior two", "the previous two", or "the former two", which can be used depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "the preceding two" or "the previous two"?

Both "the preceding two" and "the previous two" are grammatically correct. "Preceding" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can I use "the preceding two" to refer to items in a list?

Yes, "the preceding two" can be used to refer to the two items immediately before the current point in a list, provided that the context makes the reference clear.