last month alone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last month alone" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to specify a specific timeframe in the past, specifically the previous month. You can use it when discussing events or actions that occurred within that time period. Example: Last month alone, I spent over $500 on groceries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Last month alone it killed 33 people.

The Times

Last month alone, prices fell by 1.3%.

The Guardian - Business

Four such attacks took place last month alone.

The Guardian

It's happened twice in the last month alone.

The New Yorker

Last month alone, Connecticut collected $16.3 million in slot revenues.

The New York Times

Ms. Politkovskaya's killing was the third mob-style assassination of prominence in the last month alone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Since last October alone, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has identified more than 800 different influenza viruses.

The Economist

But last September alone, the Park Slope branch brought in six figures.

The New York Times

Last August alone, the University of Rhode Island warned that students and faculty that their information may have been exposed.

The New York Times

There have been 73 deaths in the past month alone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This month alone, her company has packaged 45,000.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "last month alone", ensure the context clearly defines what 'last month' refers to, especially in content that might be read at a later date.

Common error

Avoid using future tenses with "last month alone". This phrase refers to a completed period in the past, so past tenses are necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last month alone" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timeframe in which an action or event occurred. It emphasizes that the action or event was specific to the previous month. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last month alone" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to specify that an action or event occurred solely within the preceding month. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread applicability. It is particularly prevalent in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure your tense is correct, and be aware that it emphasizes a specific, recent timeframe. Alternatives include "in the last month" or "during the past month", which offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just last month

Highlights the recent occurrence of an event.

in the previous month

Formally specifies the immediately preceding month.

in the last month

Focuses on the duration rather than isolating the previous month.

during the past month

Emphasizes the time elapsed in the previous month.

specifically last month

Highlights the precision regarding the timing.

over the last month

Highlights the cumulative aspect of events in the recent past.

only in the month prior

More formal and emphasizes the immediate succession.

last month exclusively

Stresses that something happened only in the specified period.

solely in the last month

Adds emphasis on the uniqueness of the timing.

merely last month

Implies surprise or disbelief about the recent timing.

FAQs

How can I use "last month alone" in a sentence?

Use "last month alone" to specify that something occurred only during the previous month and not before or after. For example: "Last month alone, we received over 1000 customer inquiries."

What are some alternatives to saying "last month alone"?

You can use phrases like "in the last month", "during the past month", or "over the last month" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "last month" and "last month alone"?

While both refer to the previous month, "last month alone" emphasizes that the event or statistic is specific to that time period and not part of a longer trend. It highlights the concentration of the event within that month.

Can I use "last month alone" to talk about future events?

No, "last month alone" refers to a specific completed month in the past. Use future tenses when discussing prospective occurrences.