the previous month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the previous month' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the month immediately before the current month. For example: "I made more money last month than I did the previous month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prices dropped 0.9 percent in February from the previous month.

The New York Times

Import growth slowed from the previous month.

The Economist

He had moved there the previous month.

The New Yorker

And the previous month?

The Guardian

Doctors detected her condition the previous month.

The Guardian

The figure was 94.3% the previous month.

The Guardian

This is a duplicate invoice from the previous month.

Cornell University

"In January, we grew 40percentt over the previous month".

The New York Times

He deplored the Hamas victory in Gaza the previous month.

The Guardian - Books

(During the previous month, the stock price had doubled).

The New Yorker

From the previous month, production gained 6.6percentt, seasonally adjusted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing reports or articles, "the previous month" provides a clear temporal reference point. Ensure your readers understand the context and time frame you are discussing.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous month" and "last month" interchangeably without considering the context. "Last month" is generally more informal and common, while "the previous month" is more formal and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous month" functions as a temporal specifier, modifying a noun or verb to indicate a time frame. It is used to provide context and establish a point of reference in relation to the present or another specified time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous month" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that serves as a temporal specifier, indicating the month immediately preceding the current one. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to specify a time frame for reporting, analysis, or comparison. It is suitable for neutral to professional contexts, found most frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing. Alternatives include "last month" and "the preceding month". When using "the previous month", ensure clarity by considering context. Common errors involve interchangeable use with "last month", when a more formal and precise term is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Last month

More concise and commonly used in informal contexts.

The preceding month

A more formal and slightly less common way to express the same idea.

The month before

A simple and direct alternative.

The month prior

Similar to 'the preceding month', but slightly more concise.

A month ago

Emphasizes the time elapsed, rather than the position in a sequence.

The prior month

Another alternative to "the previous month" which is more concise.

The month that just passed

More descriptive and emphasizes the recentness of the month.

The month immediately before

Emphasizes the direct sequence of time.

The earlier month

A general term for a month that precedes the current one.

The month of [Month Name]

Uses the name of the specific month instead of a relative reference.

FAQs

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

Use "the previous month" to clearly indicate the month immediately before the current one. For example, "Sales figures for "last month" were higher than those of the previous month."

What's a more informal way to say "the previous month"?

A more informal alternative to "the previous month" is "last month". This is suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing.

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

The phrases "the preceding month" and "the previous month" are largely interchangeable. However, "the preceding month" may sound slightly more formal or technical. Both refer to the month immediately before the current one.

When should I use "the previous month" instead of specifying the actual month?

Use "the previous month" when you want to make a general comparison without focusing on a specific month. If the specific month is relevant, it's better to state it directly, such as "In June, sales increased...".