October last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "October last year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the month of October in the previous calendar year. Example: "We had a significant event in October last year that changed the course of our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Economist

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

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

According to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), the cost of a Milton Keynes season ticket has risen 23.5%, or £930, since January 2010 and is one of a number of fares that have increased around four times more than average wages over this five-year period.

The Guardian

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

But this year is different.

The New York Times

It said that if automatic spending cuts go into force and all the Bush-era tax cuts expire, the nation would slip into recession next year and unemployment would rise to 9.1 percent, from October's rate of 7.9 percent.

The New York Times

"Scoring is not up, but injuries are up," Tallon said of the current rule last week.

The New York Times

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

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "October last year" when you need to specifically emphasize that you're referring to October of the previous calendar year, especially if you've already mentioned the current year.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "in October last year", as the "in" is often unnecessary. Simply stating "October last year" is usually sufficient and more concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "October last year" functions as a time adverbial, specifying when an event occurred. Though Ludwig does not provide examples, the construction clearly indicates a past time reference, modifying a verb or clause.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "October last year" is a grammatically sound and comprehensible way to specify a month in the past. While Ludwig does not offer any examples for the phrase "October last year", it's still considered correct. To improve formality or clarity, related phrases such as "October of the previous year" or "last October" can be used, depending on the communication context. This explicit date reference assists in avoiding ambiguity and ensuring clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

October of the previous year

More formal and explicit, clarifying that it refers to the October before the current year.

last October

A more concise and commonly used alternative, assuming the context makes the year clear.

October '24

Short and informal, specifies the year but less formal.

October in the past year

Focuses on a specific month within the recent past, suitable when emphasizing the timing.

the October prior to this one

Refers to a comparative point, useful when contrasting with the current month.

the tenth month of last year

Very formal and precise, highlighting the position of October in the year.

the autumn of last year

Broader reference to the season, useful when the specific month is not important.

the fall of last year

Broader reference to the season, mainly used in American English, useful when the specific month is not important.

October twelve months ago

Emphasizes the duration from the specified month, useful when focusing on the time elapsed.

the end of the previous year

Refers to a broader period towards the end of the previous year, which might include October.

FAQs

Is "October last year" grammatically correct?

Yes, "October last year" is grammatically correct. It clearly specifies the month of October in the preceding year.

What's a more concise way to say "October last year"?

A more concise way to say "October last year" is "last October", which is commonly used and easily understood.

How does "October last year" differ from "October of last year"?

While both phrases are correct, "October last year" is slightly less formal and more direct. "October of last year" is a bit more formal and emphasizes the year more explicitly.

Can I use "October last year" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "October last year" is better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using "October of the previous year" for greater clarity and formality.