last May

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last May" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the month of May in the previous year, typically when discussing events or occurrences that took place during that time. Example: "We launched our new product line last May, and it has been well received by customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The order book was down slightly at £3.6bn from the last update in June but well ahead of the £3.3bn reported this time last year.

The Guardian - Business

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

"Scoring is not up, but injuries are up," Tallon said of the current rule last week.

The New York Times

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

Last summer the Electoral Commission said 7.5 million eligible voters were not registered, with poor, black and young people least likely to be on the electoral roll.

The Guardian

The shares have underperformed the market by 6% in the last three months and now trade at a discount to the oil service peers.

The Guardian - Business

This was the second time in seven months that Hill has come close to the death chamber: last July he was spared by just 90 minutes and the experience was repeated on Tuesday night with just 30 minutes to go.

The Guardian

Downey, from County Donegal, had been charged with the murders of four soldiers who died in the Hyde Park bomb in 1982, after his arrest at Gatwick airport last year.

The Guardian

Gray only last week said Rudd was able to "get himself into the media … what he can't do is govern and what he can't do is lead the Labor party".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific event that occurred in May of the previous year, use "last May" for clarity and conciseness. For example, "The conference was held last May."

Common error

Avoid using "last May" when you mean "this May" (the upcoming May) or a specific May in a different year. Always ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to May of the previous year.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last May" functions as a temporal adjective modifying an implied noun (e.g., the events, the meeting, etc.). It specifies the time frame of the subject being discussed, indicating that it occurred in May of the preceding year. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct to use.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last May" is a straightforward and widely understood way to refer to the month of May in the year preceding the current one. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, the examples count is missing. To enhance clarity, ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to the May of the previous year. If needed, consider alternatives such as "May of last year" or "the previous May" for more formal or precise communication. The register of "last May" is generally neutral, making it suitable for various writing and speaking scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

May of last year

Rephrases the time period using 'May' and 'last year' for clarity.

The previous May

Uses 'previous' instead of 'last' to indicate the preceding May.

May a year ago

Emphasizes the duration of one year since that May.

The May before this

Refers to May in relation to the current point in time.

In May of the past year

Formal restatement of "last May".

A year ago in May

Inverts the phrase for emphasis on the duration.

May of the preceding year

A more formal alternative using 'preceding' instead of 'last'.

The May just gone

Informal way of saying "last May", focusing on the recent past.

That May

Referring to a specific May previously mentioned.

Last spring

Broadens the timeframe to the entire spring season, including May.

FAQs

What does "last May" mean?

"Last May" refers to the month of May in the year immediately preceding the current year. For example, if it is currently July 2025, "last May" would refer to May 2024.

How is "last May" different from "this May"?

"Last May" refers to the May of the previous year, while "this May" refers to the May of the current year. Ensure clarity by specifying the year if there's a potential for confusion.

What are some alternatives to saying "last May"?

Alternatives include "May of last year", "the previous May", or "May a year ago", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the last May" instead of "last May"?

While "last May" is the more common and natural phrasing, "the last May" could be used if you are referring to a specific, previously mentioned May. However, "last May" is generally preferred for its conciseness and clarity.