the preceding two years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the preceding two years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the two years that came before a specific point in time or event being discussed. Example: "The company's profits have increased significantly compared to the preceding two years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

For the preceding two years Blatter let it be known that he supported Johansson, who was recognised to have integrity and to have done a fine, professional job.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition, no one may serve in the Obama administration if he or she lobbied an executive agency in the preceding two years.

The New York Times

There had been some warning tremors during the preceding two years, as profit margins on Sony's consumer-electronics products began to fall.

The Economist

USP: the world's sexiest hotel Stats: opened in 2006, 464 rooms, seven pools, eight restaurants Highlights: launch reports marvelled that the hotel had more mirrors than had been produced in the whole of Turkey in the preceding two years.

The Guardian - Travel

There has been no rush to suicide under this process; only 21 patients died from taking the lethal medications last year, down from 27 in each of the preceding two years.

The New York Times

Any compensation increases after 2010 should be considered only in odd-numbered years and should be no more than the Consumer Price Index increase for the preceding two years, the panel said.

The New York Times

The $10,000 prize, named for President Lyndon B. Johnson's sister and given every two years, recognizes the most distinguished book of poetry written by an American and published during the preceding two years.

The New York Times

New mortgages, meanwhile, fell by 27.8% in 2013, the lowest number in the past five years, while average house prices fell by 7.8%, a slower fall than in the preceding two years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing reports or analyses, use "the preceding two years" to clearly establish a consistent and easily understood timeframe for comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "the preceding two years" when the context requires a future tense. This phrase is strictly for past timeframes relative to a reference point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the preceding two years" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a timeframe, indicating the two years immediately before a particular point or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the preceding two years" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that serves to specify a timeframe of two years immediately before a certain point. It's most common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure it is used accurately to refer to past timeframes and consider related phrases like "the prior two years" for variety. Avoid tense errors and consider the appropriate level of formality for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the prior two years

Substitutes "preceding" with "prior", offering a slightly simpler and equally valid alternative.

the earlier two years

Uses "earlier" as a substitute for "preceding" or "previous", keeping the meaning similar.

the two years before

Rearranges the sentence structure for a more straightforward and less formal expression.

the two years prior to that

Adds specificity by explicitly stating a reference point ("that"), which could be another event or time.

the immediately preceding years

Adds emphasis to the immediacy of the time frame, suggesting a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

the past couple of years

Uses a more colloquial expression, replacing "two" with "couple" for a less formal tone.

the two-year period before

Emphasizes the duration as a "period", making it suitable for discussing trends or averages.

the last 24 months

Specifies the time frame in months, providing a more precise and quantifiable alternative.

the previous biennium

Replaces common words with more formal vocabulary, suitable for technical contexts.

in the 24 months leading up to

Focuses on the period leading up to a specific event, emphasizing the build-up or preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "the preceding two years" in a sentence?

Use "the preceding two years" to refer to a period of two years immediately before a specific point in time. For example, "The company's profits have increased significantly compared to the preceding two years".

What's the difference between "the preceding two years" and "the past two years"?

While both phrases are similar, "the preceding two years" is often used in more formal or technical contexts, whereas "the past two years" is more common in general conversation. Both refer to the same period.

Is it correct to say "the two preceding years" instead of "the preceding two years"?

Yes, "the two preceding years" is grammatically correct and carries the same meaning as "the preceding two years". The order of words doesn't significantly alter the meaning.

What can I say instead of "the preceding two years"?

You can use alternatives like "the prior two years", "the previous biennium" or "the last 24 months" depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.