the previous May

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the previous May" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the month of May that occurred in the year before the current one. Example: "The event was held in the previous May, and it attracted a large audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

These records also show a gap in service from that time to the previous May.

The New York Times

The move brought a personal problem: "My son Panpan had been born the previous May.

The Guardian - Books

Ms Summers had slain her last vampire the previous May and television was a duller place for it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His plane was shot down by German flak the previous May over the Bay of Biscay.

The New York Times

The previous May, riots had spread across Kabul after a US military truck with faulty brakes careered into traffic, killing one man.

The Guardian

JeanAudubon had sent his cherished only son to America to escapeconscription into the forces Napoleon was mustering for his war withEngland, joined the previous May.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

And the previous month?

The Guardian

The figure was 94.3% the previous month.

The Guardian

He had moved there the previous month.

The New Yorker

Doctors detected her condition the previous month.

The Guardian

The previous month sales stood at 950,373.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the previous May", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point in time so that readers understand which May you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous May" when you actually mean "last May" in the current year. Ensure your tense is consistent and clarifies if you are talking about the May of the past year.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous May" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurred relative to a reference point. Ludwig's examples show it's often used to provide a temporal context in news and historical reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the previous May" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the month of May in the year preceding a given reference point. As indicated by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, serving to provide temporal context. While synonyms like "last May" exist, "the previous May" maintains a slightly more formal tone. When using the phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity regarding which May is being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last May

Replaces "the previous" with "last", providing a more concise way to refer to the same time period.

May of last year

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the month, while still referring to the May of the preceding year.

May of the previous year

Adds "of" to clarify the relationship between May and the year, creating a slightly more formal tone.

the May before

Uses "the May before" for brevity, assuming the context makes it clear what is being referred to.

the May prior

Substitutes "previous" with "prior", offering a more formal synonym.

the preceding May

Replaces "previous" with "preceding", another formal synonym.

May a year ago

Uses "a year ago" to specify the time frame more directly.

the May in the year before

This alternative rephrases the concept in a more verbose way, emphasizing the year.

earlier in the year

Refers to a general time earlier in the year.

the May before that

Refers to the May two years prior, adding an extra layer of temporal distance.

FAQs

What does "the previous May" mean?

The phrase "the previous May" refers to the month of May in the year immediately preceding the one being discussed or referenced.

What can I say instead of "the previous May"?

You can use alternatives like "last May", "May of last year", or "the May before" depending on the context.

How do I use "the previous May" in a sentence?

Use "the previous May" to specify an event that occurred in May of the year before the current one. For example, "The conference was much smaller than in the previous May."

Is "the previous May" formal or informal?

The phrase "the previous May" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although "last May" might be preferred in more informal settings.