during the last

USAGE SUMMARY

"during the last" can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a period of time in the past that has just recently ended, e.g. "During the last two weeks, I have been studying for my exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

This scenario dramatically changed during the last 35 years.

Stanford University

During the last days of April 1994.

The New Yorker

In fact, during the last annual I.M.F.

The New York Times

A physical activity questionnaire was completed during the last visit.

Nutrition Research

Females were monitored closely during the last month of pregnancy.

Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Measurements were made during the last three weeks.

Agricultural Sciences in China

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

My brother died during the last conflict.

Independent

Police overtime during the last fiscal year: $549 million.

The New York Times

Metabolomics research has evolved considerably, particularly during the last decade.

Data in Brief

Taiwan saw an increase in immigration during the last decade.

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association

However, the trends during the last decade are uncertain.

The Spine Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "during the last", ensure the timeframe is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "during the last week", "during the last year", or "during the last decade".

Common error

Avoid using "during the last" without specifying the unit of time. Saying "during the last" without indicating week, month, or year can create confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the last" functions as a prepositional phrase, specifically indicating the timing or duration of an event or state. It sets a temporal context, denoting that something occurred within a defined period immediately preceding the present moment. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

Academia

18%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the last" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the timing or duration of events in the immediate past. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts, including science, academia, news and media, and formal business settings. Remember to clearly define the timeframe to avoid ambiguity and consider alternatives like "in the past" or "over the previous" for nuanced expression. The analysis of Ludwig examples indicates that specifying units of time is a recommended practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the last

This alternative changes 'during' to 'within', focusing on inclusion in a period.

during the preceding

This alternative is similar but slightly more formal than the original phrase.

over the previous

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the period immediately preceding the present.

in the prior

This alternative is a more concise and formal way of indicating the immediately preceding period.

in the past

This alternative is more general and does not specify the recency of the period.

over the concluding

This phrase replaces "last" with "concluding", emphasizing the end of a period.

throughout the preceding

This alternative adds a sense of continuity throughout the specified timeframe.

in the closing

This alternative suggests the final portion of a period.

in recent times

This alternative is less specific but emphasizes the nearness to the present.

for the duration of the preceding

This option emphasizes the full extent of the period leading up to the present.

FAQs

How can I use "during the last" in a sentence?

Use "during the last" to indicate an event or condition that occurred within a specific recent timeframe. For example, "during the last week" or "during the last year".

What's a good alternative to "during the last"?

Alternatives include "in the past", "over the previous", or "in recent times" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "during the last year" and "in the last year"?

While similar, "during the last year" emphasizes a continuous period, while "in the last year" focuses on events occurring at any point within that timeframe. Both during the last year and "in the last year" are correct and interchangeable in most situations.

When should I use "during the last" instead of "in the past"?

"During the last" is used when you want to specify a recent and defined timeframe. "In the past" (/s/in+the+past) is more general and doesn't indicate a specific recent period. For example, use "during the last week" for recent events, and "in the past" for more distant occurrences.