it was last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was last" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the most recent occurrence of something, often in a temporal context. Example: "The last time I saw her, it was last summer during our family reunion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was last Monday.

The New York Times

So it was last night.

Independent

It was last held here in 1951.

The New York Times - Sports

The way it was last time".

The New York Times - Books

But with Lucinschi it was last minute.

The New Yorker

It was last updated in 2000.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

(Hint: it was last year).

The New York Times

MAYBE it was last month's sunny weather.

The Economist

It was last spring, not this fall.

The New York Times

It's different to what it was last year.

Independent

And it's better now than it was last week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was last" to establish a timeline or provide context for an event, especially when comparing it to a current situation or change. For example, "The building was last renovated in 2000, and it shows significant wear since then."

Common error

Avoid using "it was last" in situations where it might create confusion about which specific past action you're referring to. Provide enough context to make the reference clear, or rephrase to eliminate ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was last" functions as an adverbial phrase providing temporal context. It indicates the most recent time something occurred, modifying the verb or clause it accompanies. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was last" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the most recent occurrence of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. Remember to use "it was last" with clear context to avoid ambiguity and specify the event to which you are referring. Alternatives like "it happened most recently" and "the previous instance was" can be used for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was the most recent time

Directly states that the mentioned time is the closest to the present.

it happened most recently

Focuses on the timing of the event, highlighting its recency.

it occurred for the last time

Emphasizes the finality of the event's occurrence.

the previous instance was

Formal alternative focusing on a specific prior event.

the most recent occasion was

Highlights a particular event or situation that just took place.

the last episode was

Implies a series of events or occurrences, highlighting the final one.

it previously took place

Emphasizes that something happened before, with a focus on the past.

its last appearance was

Implies that something was visible or present for the final time.

the ultimate occurrence was

Formal and emphasizes the finality or importance of the last occurrence.

the finishing touch was

Highlights the final element or action in a sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "it was last" in a sentence?

You can use "it was last" to indicate when something most recently occurred. For example, "It was last week that I saw him" or "It was last year when they renovated the building".

What are some alternatives to "it was last"?

Some alternatives include "it happened most recently", "the previous instance was", or "the most recent occasion was" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was the last time" instead of "it was last"?

While "it was the last time" is grammatically correct, "it was last" is often more concise and commonly used. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "it was last" and "it was recently"?

"It was last" typically refers to a specific, identifiable point in the past, while "it was recently" indicates a more general timeframe in the near past. For example, "it was last Tuesday" versus "it was recently updated".