the previous weekend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the previous weekend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the weekend that occurred before the current one, often in the context of discussing events or activities that took place during that time. Example: "We had a great time at the beach the previous weekend, enjoying the sun and surf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For comparison, The Legend of Tarzan opened the previous weekend with £2.76m plus previews of £809,000.

The Guardian - Film

Interstellar fell a troubling 65% from the previous weekend.

The Guardian - Film

Was that person also listening over the previous weekend?

The Guardian

She had sought treatment for chest pains the previous weekend.

The New York Times

The previous weekend Guus Hiddink rediscovered Chelsea's attacking verve.

Independent

The previous weekend 11-133 December) was the lowest-grossing of the year.

The Guardian - Film

He had made an overnight visit the previous weekend to test the place out.

The New Yorker

The previous weekend they went to New York to plan their wedding.

The New York Times

Consequently, it's no surprise to see box-office takings dipping 13% from the previous weekend.

The Guardian - Film

I think there had been an escalation in trouble the previous weekend.

The Guardian

And it showed pictures from the previous weekend of Alleyah drinking and looking intoxicated.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the previous weekend", ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe being referenced. Avoid ambiguity by specifying dates or events if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous weekend" when referring to a weekend in the future. Use phrases like "next weekend" or "the following weekend" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous weekend" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action or event occurred. It indicates a specific time frame relative to the present, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous weekend" is a grammatically correct and very common temporal phrase used to refer to the weekend immediately preceding the current one. Ludwig confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "last weekend" exist, "the previous weekend" offers a clear and unambiguous way to specify the timeframe. When using this phrase, ensure that the context is clear and avoid using it to refer to future weekends. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last weekend

More concise and commonly used alternative.

the weekend before

Specifies the weekend immediately preceding the current one.

the prior weekend

Uses 'prior' as a synonym for 'previous', indicating the earlier weekend.

the weekend just gone

Informal way to refer to the immediately preceding weekend.

the weekend immediately before

More descriptive, emphasizing the direct sequence of weekends.

a week ago weekend

Refers to the specific weekend that occurred one week prior.

the weekend preceding this one

More formal and explicit in its reference.

the recently passed weekend

Emphasizes the recency of the weekend in question.

the weekend before last

While technically referring to two weekends prior, it can be used colloquially if context clarifies it means the immediate past weekend.

the weekend in the week before

Focuses on specifying the relative position of the weekend of interest.

FAQs

What's the difference between "last weekend" and "the previous weekend"?

"Last weekend" and "the previous weekend" are generally interchangeable. However, "last weekend" is more common in everyday conversation, while "the previous weekend" can sound slightly more formal. Both refer to the weekend immediately before the current one.

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

You can use "the previous weekend" to refer to events or activities that happened on the weekend before the current one. For example, "I went to the movies "the previous weekend"." or "The concert was "the previous weekend"."

Can I use "the previous weekend" to refer to a specific date?

Yes, you can specify a date related to "the previous weekend" if it helps provide context. For instance, "The game was rained out "the previous weekend", on July 12th."

What are some alternative ways to say "the previous weekend"?

You can use alternatives like "last weekend" or "the weekend before". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.