Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
last month's date
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
previous month date
exactly a month ago today
one month ago today
one month ago
approximately one month ago
four weeks ago
one month in the past
month ago date
date one month ago
roughly a month ago
exactly one month ago
one month prior
one month earlier
a month ago
since last month
about four weeks ago
the previous month
last month
a month earlier
one month before
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Before she leaves, we mark the next month's date so there are no stresses about needing to schedule.
News & Media
This month's Dating Faux Pas Prevention continues with another subject of concern to many; what are the two of you going to talk about on that first date?
News & Media
In last month's article ("Avoiding First Date Faux Pas Part 1: What Never to Do on a First Date"), we discussed what never to do on a first date (with a few additional great suggestions from readers).
News & Media
But there are experts in the laws of probability who say that there are enormous odds against a random selection process producing the result of last month's lottery, in which dates late in the year tended to be drawn early and vice versa.
News & Media
He was Miley Cyrus's date to last month's MTV Video Awards and she unveiled her first art exhibition at the Jeremy Scott fashion show this week.
News & Media
The settlements come as King's civil case is being winnowed down in advance of next month's trial date.
News & Media
Porcelain vases date back to last month's factory shipment, or to the imperial courts of the Tang Dynasty.
News & Media
Ahnen was paired with the earlier piece for this month's London dates because it is considerably lighter in tone.
News & Media
Still, there is a perception that Boston has a championship-caliber team, even if it has lost 30 of its last 41 games, dating to last September's collapse.
News & Media
It was their 29th loss in 40 games, dating to last September's collapse, a flop that rivaled any from the franchise's colorful past.
News & Media
Update: The date of next month's Apple event has been pushed forward to March 21st from an earlier date of March 15th.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When referring to a specific date from the previous month, ensure clarity by also including the year, especially if the context spans multiple years. For example, instead of just "last month's date", specify "last month's date in 2025".
Common error
Avoid ambiguity by always specifying the exact date when using the phrase "last month's date". Without the specific date, the phrase can be unclear, especially when discussing events over extended periods. For instance, instead of saying, "The deadline was last month's date", state "The deadline was March 15th".
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "last month's date" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a possessive noun phrase. It typically modifies another noun, such as 'deadline' or 'meeting', to specify a particular time within the previous month. The phrase helps to pinpoint when an action occurred or will occur.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Science
33%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "last month's date" is a grammatically sound and useful way to refer to a specific date in the previous month. While Ludwig shows its usage may vary, it generally functions as a noun phrase providing temporal context. To ensure clarity, it is always a good practice to specify the exact day, month and year, particularly when discussing events over longer time spans. The phrase is suitable across various registers, though awareness of potential ambiguity can help enhance communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
date in the prior month
Focuses on the month before the current one, replacing the possessive with a prepositional phrase.
date from the previous month
Uses "previous month" instead of "last month", offering a slight variation in wording.
date of the preceding month
Employs more formal language with "preceding month", which is suitable for professional contexts.
the month before's date
Reorders the phrase structure to emphasize the time relationship, changing the syntactic structure.
date of the month prior
Rephrases using 'month prior' to change the emphasis and flow slightly, suitable for different sentence structures.
date of the month before
Similar to "date of the month prior", but uses 'before' instead of 'prior'.
the date from last month
Switches the possessive to a prepositional phrase, altering the syntactic structure of the sentence.
a month ago's date
Uses "a month ago" to specify the time frame, providing a more conversational tone.
the date one month prior
Employs a more technical phrasing, suitable for reports or technical documentation.
date occurring last month
Uses a participial phrase to describe the date, changing the sentence structure.
FAQs
How can I use "last month's date" in a sentence?
You can use "last month's date" to refer to a specific day in the month preceding the current one. For example, "The report is due by "date in the prior month"." Ensure clarity by specifying the year if the context spans multiple years.
What's a more formal way to say "last month's date"?
A more formal alternative to "last month's date" is "date of the preceding month". This phrasing is suitable for professional or academic contexts.
How do I avoid ambiguity when using "last month's date"?
To avoid ambiguity, always specify the exact date and year. Instead of saying "last month's date", say "date from the previous month, such as March 15, 2026". This provides clarity and avoids confusion.
Can I use "date a month ago" instead of "last month's date"?
While you could use "a month ago's date", it's less common and may sound awkward. It's better to use "last month's date" or rephrase to "a date from last month" for better clarity.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested