the previous August

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the previous August" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the August that occurred before the current one, often in a context discussing events or situations from that time. Example: "The project was initiated in the previous August, and we have made significant progress since then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The previous August, Klíma revived the writers' club Czech PEN.

The Guardian - Books

He had graduated from the Marine Corps basic officer school in Quantico, Va., the previous August.

The Washington Post

The previous August, Mrs. Millett had bought a credit-monitoring subscription from Equifax.

The New York Times

The stock market had hit bottom the previous August in the midst of a severe recession.

The New York Times

They had married the previous August, and he had sublet his place in the East Village.

The New York Times

Many had met the previous August, and would meet again in February.

The New York Times

The Geneva II conference in January 2014 took place in the shadow of Assad's chemical weapons attacks the previous August.

The Guardian

Prime Minister Gillard announced the carbon price in February 2011, after winning the election the previous August.

The Guardian

But in August, for the first time since 1995, prices slipped a bit from the previous August.

The New York Times

At Outdoor Life, for example, ad pages were down 22percentt in August compared with the previous August.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And the previous month?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "the previous August", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point for comparison. For example, if discussing events in November 2023, "the previous August" should clearly refer to August 2023.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous August" if the reader may not know the timeframe you're referencing. In such cases, specify the year or use a more direct reference like "August 2022".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous August" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun or event, specifying a temporal context. It indicates a specific time relative to another point of reference, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous August" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to specify the August preceding a particular event or point in time. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English. It's frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts. For enhanced clarity, ensure the reference point is well-established in your writing and for greater formality, consider alternatives like "the preceding August". Be mindful of the year, adding specification if required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The preceding August

Replaces "previous" with its direct synonym "preceding".

August of the prior year

Substitutes "previous" with "prior" and rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the year.

The August before that

Uses a more informal and direct way of indicating the August of the year before.

The August immediately before

Adds "immediately" to emphasize that there are no intervening Augusts.

August in the year prior

Reorders the phrase to highlight "August" and specifies "year prior".

The August of the year before

A more descriptive way to indicate the August of the preceding year.

The August that preceded it

Uses a more descriptive and slightly more formal way of expressing the same timeframe.

Prior August

Simplified version omitting "the" and "previous".

Last August

A more concise and casual way to refer to the August before the current one.

The August before

Shortened version of "The August before that".

FAQs

How can I use "the previous August" in a sentence?

Use "the previous August" to refer to the August that occurred before a specific event or time you are discussing. For example, "Sales increased significantly in November compared to "the previous August"".

What is a more formal alternative to "the previous August"?

A more formal alternative is "the preceding August" or "August of the prior year". For instance, "The report was finalized in December, following data collection in "August of the prior year"".

Is it correct to say "last August" instead of "the previous August"?

Yes, "last August" is a correct and often more concise way to refer to the same period. However, ""the previous August"" may be preferred for clarity in contexts with multiple August mentions.

When should I use "the previous August" instead of simply stating the month?

Use ""the previous August"" when you've already established a point of reference in time and need to refer back to the August before that point. If the year isn't clear, specify it (e.g., "the previous August, 2022").