two months earlier vs two months before

Both 'two months earlier' and 'two months before' are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Two months earlier' is refers to a specific point in time that occurred two months in the past, while 'two months before' refers to a time period before a specified point in time.

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 30, 2024 • 23357 views

two months earlier

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a specific point in time that occurred two months in the past.

This phrase is used to indicate a specific time that happened two months before the current point in time. It is often used in contexts where a clear reference to a past event is needed.

Examples:

He joined the company two months earlier.
The deadline was two months earlier than expected.

Show examples from the web [+]

But how could Columbus leave? It's two months earlier.
Because two months earlier, an unemployed Brazilian boiled an egg.
Parliament could also have brought this whole matter - which has been described here as both a crisis and an opportunity - to a head two months earlier if it had made full use of its powers and passed a vote of no confidence.
What I must point out is that the fall of the Nile in Khartoum comes two months earlier than here in Cairo, and when the Nile has fallen sufficiently, Khartoum will be defenceless.
Bam, there was another deposit made two months earlier, four days after Abby's death.
Two months earlier Lars felt obliged to mingle with his fellow med-students.
If he passed away now, he'd only be two months earlier than expected.
Thought I'd let him go two months earlier and he's still around after a year.
It could have received it a month or two earlier.
Suspension of application shall take place no earlier than two months after notification.
Suspension of application shall take place no earlier than two months after notification.
The meeting shall take place no earlier than two months after notification has been sent.
The deadline for submission of tenders shall not be earlier than two months after the day of publication of such an information notice.
Are confirming Victoria Grayson, who was thought to have died over two months ago in a private plane crash, was found earlier today.
As you will have seen, these two committees attempted to fence in the Commission, so to speak, and place greater restrictions on it, calling upon it to conclude the operation six months earlier and to submit progress reports earlier in the process than proposed.
We could and perhaps should have recognised this six months earlier.
His wife Fatemah was also detained for several months earlier this year.
We'd had success with a very complicated procedure months earlier.
Your dad had come to see me 6 months earlier.
Carmichael pulled another car out a month earlier.

Alternatives:

two months ago
two months in the past
two months back

two months before

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a time period before a specified point in time.

This phrase is used to refer to a time period that occurred before a specific point in time. It is often used when describing events or actions that took place prior to a particular date or event.