last january

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last January" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the January that occurred most recently before the current month. Example: "Last January, we launched our new marketing campaign, which has since shown great results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Last January, the S.&P.

The New York Times

Mrs. McDaniel was dying last January.

The New York Times - Health

The divorce was finalized last January.

The New York Times

Defender Gabriel from Villarreal last January.

Independent

But neither enjoyed his experience last January.

The New York Times

Last January, the Checker company declared bankruptcy.

The New York Times

Last January, it used 30,000.

The Guardian

Megaupload was shut down last January.

The New York Times - Tech

Last January, Fiamma closed.

The New York Times

Mr. Jovine died last January.

The New York Times

He was arrested last January.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last January" to clearly indicate the January immediately preceding the current date. This provides a specific and easily understood timeframe for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "last January" when you actually mean January of the upcoming year. Double-check your context to ensure you are referring to the past, not the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last January" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last January" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the January immediately preceding the current month. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. Its primary function is to specify a precise time frame, mainly found within neutral contexts such as News & Media. While alternatives exist, "last January" provides a clear and concise way to anchor events in the recent past. When using the expression, avoid confusion with future dates and specify the context to ensure correct understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

January of last year

Emphasizes the year rather than the immediacy of the month.

This past January

Emphasizes the recent occurrence of the month.

The previous January

Uses 'previous' for a more formal or distanced tone.

January just gone

A more informal, conversational way to refer to the recent January.

A year ago this January

Highlights the duration from that January to the current time.

January in the prior year

Very formal and emphasizes the preceding year.

The January before this one

Less direct, focuses on sequence relative to the present month.

Last year's January

Reorders the words to focus on the year first.

The January that just passed

Highlights the recent passing of the month.

The January that preceded this year

Formal and emphasizes the order of years.

FAQs

How do I use "last January" in a sentence?

Use "last January" to refer to the January that immediately preceded the current month. For example: "Last January, the company reported record profits."

What can I say instead of "last January"?

You can use alternatives like "January of last year", "the previous January", or "this past January" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the last January"?

While understandable, "last January" is more common and natural-sounding than "the last January". The article "the" is usually omitted when referring to the immediately preceding month.

How specific is the phrase "last January"?

"Last January" is very specific, referring only to the January immediately before the current month. If you need to be more general, consider using "early this year" if the current date is within the first few months of the year.