last last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last last year" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is often used informally in spoken language, particularly in some dialects, to emphasize that something happened in the previous year. Example: "I remember going on that trip last last year; it was such a memorable experience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last one was in 1989.

The Economist

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

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

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

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

"They gave me their word a year ago and now I want them to honour that.

The Guardian - Sport

According to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), the cost of a Milton Keynes season ticket has risen 23.5%, or £930, since January 2010 and is one of a number of fares that have increased around four times more than average wages over this five-year period.

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

But this year is different.

The New York Times

It said that if automatic spending cuts go into force and all the Bush-era tax cuts expire, the nation would slip into recession next year and unemployment would rise to 9.1 percent, from October's rate of 7.9 percent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and precision, avoid using "last last year" in formal writing. Instead, opt for "the year before last" or "two years ago."

Common error

While "last last year" might be understood in casual conversation, remember that written communication often demands greater precision. Using such colloquialisms can reduce the credibility of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last last year" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a point in time. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not standard in written English and can cause confusion. Therefore, while it aims to specify a past timeframe, its non-standard nature affects its overall effectiveness.

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

In summary, while the phrase "last last year" might be understandable in informal settings, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Ludwig AI points out that this phrase isn't standard and can lead to confusion. Opt for clearer alternatives like "the year before last" or "two years ago" to ensure your message is precise and professional. As there are no usage examples available to support this query, it is best to use other alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The year before last

Replaces the informal repetition with a standard, clear expression.

Two years ago

Provides a straightforward and unambiguous alternative.

Two years prior

Offers a more formal substitute for "last last year".

In the preceding two years

Presents a more descriptive and precise alternative, suitable for formal contexts.

The second previous year

Provides a literal but somewhat less common substitute.

During that year

Offers less specific and less similar alternative.

A couple of years back

This alternative use a colloquial register.

Around that time

Provides alternative less specific, but applicable in conversation.

Some years ago

Provides alternative even less specific than "around that time", but applicable in conversation.

In those years

This alternative doesn't provide any specific moment in time.

FAQs

What does "last last year" mean?

The phrase "last last year" is an informal way of saying "the year before last" or "two years ago".

Is it correct to say "last last year"?

While understandable in casual conversation, "last last year" is not considered standard English. Use more formal alternatives like "the year before last" or "two years ago" in writing.

What are some alternatives to "last last year"?

Instead of "last last year", you can use phrases like "the year before last", "two years ago", or "two years prior".

When should I avoid using "last last year"?

Avoid using "last last year" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional communications. Stick to standard English alternatives for clarity and credibility.