from last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from last year" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happened at some point in the past year. For example: We increased our profits from last year by 5%.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What's different from last year?

The New York Times

Your income from last year.

The New Yorker

That's our favorite album from last year.

The New York Times - Arts

We're up a little from last year.

The New York Times

It's night and day from last year.

The New York Times - Sports

2. Taylor Swift's income from last year.

The New Yorker

Russia's score fell sharply from last year.

The Economist

I think we are improving from last year.

Independent

Still, turnout was up 4.6 percent from last year.

The New York Times

"He remembers me from last year," said Bobby.

The New Yorker

Deposits are up 9 percent from last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data, ensure the context is clear by specifying what is being compared to "from last year". For instance, 'Sales increased by 15% from last year' provides a clear comparison point.

Common error

Avoid using "from last year" without a clear reference point for comparison. For example, simply stating 'Things are better from last year' lacks context. Specify what aspect is improved for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from last year" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a temporal relationship, specifying that something has changed or is being compared in relation to the previous year. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "from last year" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to provide a temporal reference point for comparisons, especially in contexts involving changes, data analysis, or event tracking. It is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in business and scientific contexts. When using "from last year", ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is being compared. Alternatives like "compared to the previous year" or "year-over-year" can offer more formal or concise options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to the previous year

Replaces 'last year' with a more formal and explicit reference to the immediately preceding year.

from the prior year

Uses 'prior' as a synonym for 'last', maintaining a formal tone.

in the preceding year

A formal alternative, suitable for academic or official contexts.

year-over-year

A business term that compactly expresses a comparison with the same period of the previous year.

year before

A shorter, more informal way to say 'last year'.

compared with the year before

More verbose but very clear in its temporal reference.

since last year

Indicates a change or development that has occurred in the time elapsed since the previous year.

in the past year

Broadens the timeframe slightly, referring to any point within the last 365 days.

a year ago

Focuses on the duration of time elapsed rather than a direct comparison.

over the last 12 months

Specifies the time frame as a full 12-month period.

FAQs

How can I use "from last year" in a sentence?

Use "from last year" to compare or contrast data, events, or situations with those of the previous year. For example, "Our revenue increased 20% "from last year"".

What are some alternatives to saying "from last year"?

You can use alternatives such as "compared to the previous year", "year-over-year", or "since last year" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "than last year" instead of "from last year"?

While "than last year" might be understood, ""from last year"" is generally preferred because it clearly indicates a point of reference for comparison. "Than" typically introduces a clause for comparison.

What is the difference between "since last year" and "from last year"?

"Since last year" indicates a period of time starting in the previous year and continuing to the present, while ""from last year"" indicates a specific comparison or point of origin in the previous year.