in last year

USAGE SUMMARY

"in last year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the past 12 months. For example: "I had the best vacation of my life in last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The first buyers moved in last year.

The New York Times

Gross sales this year are expected to top $10million, twice what Rife took in last year.

The New York Times - Sports

Citigroup is, in effect, paying its employees $1.45 for every dollar the company took in last year.

The New York Times

But only four got in last year.

The Economist

- At her swearing in last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The final plantings went in last year.

The New York Times - Science

"I'm a different player in last year," he said, smiling.

The New York Times - Sports

Some 21,000 'guests' checked in last year.

The Guardian - Travel

Last in last year, first out this year.

The New York Times - Sports

Coming in last year and not being able to do that, it's tough on everybody".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The 12 women and nine men, from across the country, staged the sit-in last year.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in last year", ensure that the context clearly establishes which year you are referring to, especially if there are multiple years under discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "in last year" when the specific year is ambiguous. If multiple years are under discussion, clarify which year you're referring to by specifying the year or using a more precise term like "in 2024" or "during the previous year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in last year" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, providing a temporal reference point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in last year" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to indicate events occurring during the preceding 12 months. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, the phrase offers a simple way to add temporal context to statements. While alternatives like "during the previous year" or "in the past year" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When using "in last year", clarity is key to avoid ambiguity, especially when discussing multiple years. It's worth noting that the frequency of use is high, but precision is always preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the previous year

Replaces "last" with "previous", offering a more formal tone.

in the past year

Emphasizes the entirety of the preceding 12 months.

over the last 12 months

Specifically highlights the 12-month duration.

within the last year

Focuses on events occurring inside the one-year window.

in the preceding year

Uses more formal language to indicate the year before.

a year ago

Provides a concise reference to the same time frame.

during the past 12 months

Combines "past" with explicit month count for added clarity.

last 365 days

Uses a precise numerical value for the time period.

since last year

Indicates a timeframe that started last year and continues to present.

in the year prior

Uses slightly elevated vocabulary for the timeframe.

FAQs

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

You can use "in last year" to refer to events or periods that occurred during the past 12 months. For example, "The company's profits increased significantly "in last year"."

What are some alternatives to "in last year"?

Some alternatives include "during the previous year", "in the past year", or "over the last 12 months", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "in last year" or "last year"?

While both are generally understood, "last year" is often more concise and direct. "In last year" is more common when you want to emphasize that something happened during that year, not necessarily at a specific point in it.

Can "in last year" be used to refer to any past year?

No, "in last year" specifically refers to the 12-month period immediately preceding the current date. For other years, you should specify the year (e.g., "in 2023").