last occupation

USAGE SUMMARY

"last occupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the most recent job or profession that someone has had. Example: John's last occupation was as a sales manager for a pharmaceutical company.

✓ Grammatically correct

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When completing forms or applications, use "last occupation" to clearly state your most recent job title and duties. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "last occupation" when referring to your current job. "Last occupation" should only be used to describe a job you no longer hold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last occupation" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to an individual's most recent job or profession. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last occupation" is a grammatically sound and easily understood term used to denote someone's most recent job or profession before their current employment or a period of unemployment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While this specific phrase lacks examples in the provided data, it's important to avoid confusing it with "current occupation" and to use it accurately on forms or in professional settings. This phrase serves to give the professional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous job

Focuses on the job held before the current one, similar to "last occupation" but more general.

prior employment

Emphasizes the employment history leading up to the present.

most recent position

Highlights the recency and the specific role held.

former profession

Indicates a profession that is no longer being practiced.

latest job

Stresses the fact that it was the most recent job.

last post held

Refers to the position someone had before leaving a company or changing careers.

previous line of work

Highlights the type of work done before.

employment history

Broader, referring to the entire record of jobs, but related as it includes the last occupation.

most recent work experience

Focuses on the experience gained from the latest job.

previous career

Implies a longer-term commitment than just a "job".

FAQs

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

You would use "last occupation" to describe the job or profession someone held most recently before their current one or before retirement. For example, "Before becoming a consultant, her last occupation was a marketing manager."

What can I say instead of "last occupation"?

You can use alternatives like "previous job", "prior employment", or "most recent position" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to ask about someone's "last occupation" in an interview?

Yes, it's generally acceptable to ask about a candidate's "last occupation" to understand their work history and experience. However, ensure the questions are relevant to the job requirements and avoid any discriminatory inquiries.

What's the difference between "last occupation" and "current occupation"?

"Last occupation" refers to the job you held immediately before your current one or before a period of unemployment, while "current occupation" is the job you are presently doing.