Last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Last year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the year immediately preceding the current one, often in the context of discussing events, experiences, or statistics from that time. Example: "Last year, we saw a significant increase in sales compared to the previous year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The order book was down slightly at £3.6bn from the last update in June but well ahead of the £3.3bn reported this time last year.

The Guardian - Business

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

Downey, from County Donegal, had been charged with the murders of four soldiers who died in the Hyde Park bomb in 1982, after his arrest at Gatwick airport last year.

The Guardian

This month, the Portuguese government agreed with the main opposition party on more austerity measures to cut its deficit faster than planned, to 4.6 percent of Portugal's gross domestic product next year from 9.4 percent last year.

The New York Times

Shad made his overture: "I'm gay, and when Prop. 8 passed, last year, it was a huge slap in the face for me.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The last one was in 1989.

The Economist

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

"They gave me their word a year ago and now I want them to honour that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Last year", ensure the context clearly indicates the year being referenced, especially when comparing data or events across multiple years.

Common error

Avoid using "Last year" vaguely. Specify the actual year if there's a potential for ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Sales increased last year", specify "Sales increased in 2024" if the current year is 2025.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Last year" functions as an adverbial of time, specifying when an action or event occurred. It modifies a verb or clause by providing a temporal reference. Ludwig provides many examples in which this phrase is used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Last year" serves as a temporal adverbial, commonly used to refer to the year immediately preceding the present. Ludwig AI confirms that it's considered grammatically correct and is found in various contexts, especially in news and business. For alternatives, consider "the previous year" or "a year ago". When writing, always ensure clarity by specifying the year if there is a chance of ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The previous year

Replaces 'last' with 'previous', maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

The year before

Uses a different structure to express the same timeframe.

A year ago

Indicates the same time period relative to the current date.

The preceding year

A more formal alternative to "last year".

In the past year

Broadens the timeframe to include the entire preceding year.

Twelve months prior

A more specific and somewhat formal alternative.

The prior year

Similar to "the previous year" but slightly less common.

A year earlier

Emphasizes the temporal displacement.

The year gone by

A more descriptive and literary alternative.

The departed year

An uncommon and somewhat poetic way to refer to the previous year.

FAQs

How do I use "Last year" in a sentence?

"Last year" is typically used to refer to the 12-month period immediately preceding the current year. For example, "Last year, our company launched a new product line".

What's a more formal alternative to "Last year"?

More formal alternatives include "the previous year" or "the preceding year".

Is it ever incorrect to use "Last year"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it can be ambiguous if the context doesn't make it clear which year you're referring to. In such cases, specify the year (e.g., "in 2024") for clarity.

Can I use "Last year" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "Last year" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a topic or event that occurred in the preceding year. For example, "Last year, the company experienced significant growth".