these past two weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these past two weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time period that has just elapsed, specifically the last two weeks from the current date. Example: "These past two weeks have been incredibly busy for me at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

These past two weeks have been really exhausting. . . .

The New Yorker

She added: "America has been through much these past two weeks.

The New York Times

We're not as ashamed to watch the film from these past two weeks".

The New York Times - Sports

How well did you follow the news these past two weeks?

The New York Times

These past two weeks have been an insight into how difficult going carbon neutral actually is.

The Guardian

So it went on Mr. Kerry's cross-country tour these past two weeks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "these past two weeks" to provide context, especially when comparing current conditions to those of a slightly earlier period.

Common error

Avoid using "these past two weeks" if you're referring to a period that ended significantly before the present. Ensure the timeframe aligns with the ongoing relevance of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these past two weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying the duration of an event or state. It is a common way to provide a recent temporal context, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "these past two weeks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the period spanning the two weeks immediately before the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, appearing commonly in "News & Media", academic, and general contexts to provide temporal anchoring. While other alternatives exist, this phrase offers clarity and immediacy. When employing this phrase, ensure that the timeframe aligns with the content being discussed to maintain precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the last couple of weeks

Replaces "past" with "couple" and maintains the two-week timeframe using 'weeks'.

for the last two weeks

Changes the sentence structure by adding the preposition "for" at the beginning of the phrase.

the prior couple of weeks

Substitutes "prior" for "past" and maintains the reference to approximately two weeks using "couple".

the last two weeks period

Adds "period" for emphasis, highlighting the specific duration.

the previous fortnight

Uses "fortnight", a synonym for two weeks, and "previous" instead of "past".

these fourteen days

Directly states the number of days, emphasizing the specific duration.

over the last fourteen days

Specifies the timeframe numerically, using 'days' instead of 'weeks'.

the two weeks just gone

Replaces "past" with "just gone", offering a more informal tone.

in recent weeks

Broadens the timeframe slightly, suggesting a period around two weeks.

during the past few weeks

Uses "few" to indicate a short, indefinite period, similar to two weeks.

FAQs

How do I use "these past two weeks" in a sentence?

Use "these past two weeks" to refer to the two-week period immediately preceding the present moment. For instance, "These past two weeks have been particularly busy at the office."

What's a more formal alternative to "these past two weeks"?

A more formal alternative could be "the preceding fortnight". This option is suitable for academic or business contexts.

Is there a difference between "these past two weeks" and "the last two weeks"?

While very similar, "these past two weeks" implies a slightly more immediate connection to the present than "the last two weeks", although they are often interchangeable.

Can I use "these past two weeks" to refer to a future time period?

No, "these past two weeks" refers specifically to a period that has already elapsed, leading up to the current moment. Use "the next two weeks" to refer to a future period.