Last month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Last month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the month immediately preceding the current month. Example: "Last month, we launched our new marketing campaign, and the results have been promising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Last month, Hanks..

Los Angeles Times

Last month, Gov.

Los Angeles Times

LAST month Pfc.

The New York Times

rescue package announced last month.

Science Magazine

What went wrong last month?

Science Magazine

Right Pic: Last month.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

*Last month.

BMC Public Health

But last month was last month".

The New York Times - Sports

Two others last month".

The New Yorker

Last month, aggrieved….

The New Yorker

combined last month.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Last month", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, especially when discussing events spanning multiple months. For instance, specify the year if the discussion involves events from previous years.

Common error

Avoid using "Last month" with future tenses. "Last month" refers to a completed time period, so use past tenses to describe events that occurred then.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Last month" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event occurred. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it modifies verbs or clauses to indicate the timing of events in the recent past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Last month" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase indicating the month preceding the current one. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable for various contexts, from formal news reports to informal conversations. While versatile, clarity is key; specify the year to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, consider "the previous month" or "a month ago". Remember to use it with past tenses to accurately describe events that have already occurred. Ludwig's examples showcase its prevalent use in news and media, highlighting its importance in providing temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The previous month

Replaces "last" with "previous", maintaining the same timeframe reference.

A month ago

Emphasizes the duration from the present moment.

During the month prior

More formal and emphasizes the time preceding the current month.

In the month just gone

A more conversational alternative, highlighting the recent passing of the month.

The month before this one

A direct and unambiguous way of specifying the preceding month.

Last 30 days

Focuses on approximate time frame instead of calendar month

A month earlier

Suitable when comparing events that happened in different time periods.

The month preceding

A more formal and succinct way of referring to the prior month.

Thirty days prior

Specifies the duration more precisely.

Recently last month

Emphasizes the recency of the month in question.

FAQs

What does "Last month" mean?

"Last month" refers to the month immediately before the current month. For example, if the current month is July, "last month" means June.

What can I say instead of "Last month"?

You can use alternatives like "the previous month", "a month ago", or "during the month prior" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "In the last month" instead of "Last month"?

Yes, "In the last month" is grammatically correct. However, it can sometimes imply a period of time leading up to the present, rather than solely the preceding calendar month. "Last month" is more specific and direct.

How do I specify which "Last month" I'm talking about if there's ambiguity?

To avoid ambiguity, especially when discussing events across multiple years, clarify with the year. For example, "Last month, June 2024" or "Last month of 2024".