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In the previous years
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the previous years" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English
For example, "I have been researching this subject for many years, but the most significant progress has been made in the previous years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cannot be what it was in the previous years.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

All amounts were sharply lower than in the previous years.

News & Media

The Washington Post

This work attempts to review most of the research performed in the previous years.

Science

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Both comparisons are to the same period in the previous years.

News & Media

The Guardian

"In the previous years, I'm usually just getting started around this time, in August.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

They were banking on what had happened in the previous years.

News & Media

The Washington Post

Athens was the worst performer in 2012, as it had been in the previous years.

News & Media

The New York Times

In the previous years, gunmen had even opened fire at tourists ships on the Nile.

News & Media

Independent

The yes voters are mostly people who have become rich in the previous years by the former governments.

News & Media

The Guardian

We met the goals this year but in the previous years we have not met recruiting goals.

News & Media

The New York Times

In the previous years, a lot of saliency detection algorithms have been designed for saliency computation of visual content.

Science

Neurocomputing

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When using "in the previous years", ensure the context clearly defines the specific timeframe being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens clarity.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "in the previous years" without a clear reference point. This can lead to confusion about which years are being discussed, making your writing unclear. Provide a specific starting or ending point for the timeframe.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the previous years" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adjunct. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying a time frame prior to the present or a specified point in time. As Ludwig AI confirmed, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Academia

10%

⚠ Less common in

Formal & Business

Wiki

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the previous years" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a period of time before the present or a specific reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and adaptable across various registers, predominantly appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the timeframe to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "in earlier years" or "in past years" can be used to vary expression while maintaining similar meaning. This comprehensive analysis provides writers with a clear understanding of how to effectively use "in the previous years" in their writing.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in earlier years

Uses a synonym for "previous" maintaining a similar structure and meaning.

in prior years

Substitutes "previous" with the slightly more formal "prior".

in past years

Replaces "previous" with "past", offering a slightly more general sense of time.

during the preceding years

Employs a more formal and emphatic synonym for "previous".

in the years before

Uses a simpler structure, maintaining the temporal relationship.

over the last few years

Shifts the focus to a recent timeframe, still implying years before the present.

More alternative expressions(6)

in the foregoing years

in the previous courses

in the previous issues

in the previous intervals

in the previous decades

in the previous examinations

FAQs

How can I use "in the previous years" in a sentence?

You can use "in the previous years" to refer to a period before a specific event or time. For example, "The company's profits were significantly lower this year than "in the previous years"".

What phrases are similar to "in the previous years"?

Similar phrases include "in earlier years", "in past years", or "during the preceding years". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "in prior years" or "in the previous years"?

"In prior years" and "in the previous years" are very similar in formality. "Prior" can sometimes sound slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal. Both are appropriate for most professional and academic contexts.

Can I use "in the previous years" to refer to just two years ago?

While grammatically correct, using "in the previous years" to refer to only the immediately preceding two years might sound slightly unnatural. Consider specifying "in the last two years" for greater clarity.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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In the previous yearsGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

In the previous years
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples