last I checked

USAGE SUMMARY

"last I checked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to the most recent information available to you. For example, "Last I checked, the game wasn't starting until 5 o'clock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was last I checked.

The New Yorker

"Last I checked, three minus two is one," Knott said.

The New Yorker

Last I checked, there wasn't a law against that.

The New Yorker

"Last I checked, we won the third and fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

Last I checked that was a GOOD thing.

The New York Times

Last I checked, women like music and computers too.

The Guardian

Last I checked, America was a capitalist country.

The New York Times

Last I checked, I think we're in pretty good shape".

The New York Times

"The last I checked, everybody was beating us in September.

The New York Times - Sports

"Last I checked she was No12," said Williams.

The Guardian - Sport

When last I checked I was still breathing shallowly.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "last I checked" with a specific timeframe or source for greater clarity, like "Last I checked with the airline, the flight was still on time."

Common error

Don't use "last I checked" if you have more recent or definitive information. Update your knowledge and provide the correct information directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last I checked" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the statement that follows. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates the speaker's understanding based on their most recent knowledge or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last I checked" is a versatile phrase used to preface a statement based on the speaker's most recent understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While the phrase is very common, particularly in News & Media sources, it implies a degree of uncertainty and invites potential corrections. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "to my knowledge" might be preferable. Use "last I checked" to politely share information while acknowledging that it might not be the absolute latest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as far as I knew

This implies the information was accurate up to a certain point but might have changed since.

to my knowledge

This suggests the speaker believes something is true based on the information they possess.

as I understood it

This highlights the speaker's interpretation of the information.

from what I recall

This indicates the speaker is relying on their memory of the information.

the last time I looked

This alternative emphasizes the act of looking or checking something.

at the time I inquired

This version specifies that the information is based on a previous inquiry.

in my last review

Specifically references a review process as the basis of the knowledge.

as of my last update

Implies information is based on the most recent update available to the speaker.

according to my latest information

This version highlights the source of information as being the speaker's "latest" data.

if my information is current

This directly questions the accuracy and up-to-dateness of the knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "last I checked" to preface a statement that is based on your most recent understanding, but might not be completely up-to-date. For example, "Last I checked, the meeting was scheduled for 2 PM."

What's a more formal alternative to "last I checked"?

For a more formal context, consider phrases like "to my knowledge" or "as far as I am aware" which convey a similar meaning but with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it appropriate to use "last I checked" in professional communication?

Yes, "last I checked" is generally acceptable in professional communication, particularly when you want to acknowledge that your information might not be the latest. However, in very formal settings, a more precise phrase might be preferred.

What does "last I checked" imply about the information I'm sharing?

Using "last I checked" implies that you are sharing information based on your most recent knowledge, but you are open to the possibility that the situation may have changed since then. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or a need for verification.