these past three weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these past three weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time frame that has just concluded, indicating the three weeks leading up to the present moment. Example: "These past three weeks have been incredibly busy for me at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I do declare the sun has not stopped shining these past three weeks.

The Guardian - Books

By Inauguration Day, Jan . 20 the confusion, anger and ill will of these past three weeks would be multiplied beyond anything this country has ever seen.

The New York Times

As I've engaged with readers these past three weeks during my various book tour stops, I've shared with them some of the glimmers of hope I've found in the world of social change.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Writer analyzes these last two.

The New Yorker

Finally tried these today !

Independent

Read these today.

The New York Times

However, ministers voted against these last week.

The Guardian

Babin came out of nowhere these last two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

It gets dark early these winter days.

The New York Times

These last two became her bread and butter.

The Guardian - Books

"We know these today as pheromone trails".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For a more formal tone, consider using "the preceding three weeks" or "the previous three weeks" instead of "these past three weeks".

Common error

Avoid using "these past three weeks" when referring to a period that is not immediately before the present. For example, don't say "These past three weeks were difficult, back in 2020" if you're currently in 2025. Instead, specify "Those three weeks in 2020".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these past three weeks" functions as a time adjunct, specifying a period of time relative to the present. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to ground events or situations within a specific recent timeframe.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these past three weeks" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the three weeks immediately preceding the present. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. While it effectively provides a temporal anchor, it is relatively uncommon. For alternatives, consider options like "the last three weeks" or "the previous three weeks" for similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the timeframe to avoid any ambiguity for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the last three weeks

Replaces "these past" with "the last", a more common phrasing.

the previous three weeks

Substitutes "these past" with "the previous", indicating a period just before the present.

the preceding three weeks

Uses "preceding" for a more formal tone, referring to the weeks before now.

in the last three weeks

Adds "in" to specify the period during which something occurred.

during the last three weeks

Similar to "in the last three weeks", emphasizing the duration.

over the last three weeks

Highlights that the period has elapsed, focusing on a continuous timeframe.

for the past three weeks

Emphasizes the duration and its relevance to the present.

these three weeks

Simplifies the phrase by removing "past", still indicating the recent weeks.

the recent three weeks

Uses "recent" to highlight the newness of the timeframe.

the three weeks just gone

An informal alternative, suggesting the weeks have recently passed.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "these past three weeks"?

The phrase "these past three weeks" refers to the three weeks that have immediately preceded the current moment or the time of speaking/writing. It indicates a recently concluded period of three weeks.

What can I say instead of "these past three weeks"?

You can use alternatives like "the last three weeks", "the previous three weeks", or "during the last three weeks" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "those past three weeks" instead of "these past three weeks"?

While "those past three weeks" isn't incorrect, it suggests a slightly greater distance from the present moment compared to "these past three weeks". "These" implies immediacy, while "those" implies a more remote timeframe.

How do I ensure clarity when using "these past three weeks"?

To ensure clarity, make sure the context clearly establishes the timeframe. If there's any ambiguity, consider specifying the exact dates or events that define the three-week period. Avoid using the phrase when referring to a past period that isn't immediately recent.