last period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last period" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to the most recent time period or a specific time period that has ended in the past. Example: "During the last period, our company saw a significant increase in sales."

✓ 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

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

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "last period", ensure the context clearly defines the timeframe being referenced (e.g., "last fiscal period", "last grading period").

Common error

Avoid using "last period" without specifying which period you are referring to, as this can lead to confusion. Provide specific dates or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last period" functions as a determiner and noun phrase, specifying a particular timeframe. It typically refers to the most recent or concluding segment of a defined duration, such as a fiscal quarter or academic term. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last period" is grammatically sound and serves to denote the most recent or final timeframe within a given context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's generally suitable for both formal and informal settings. While the phrase itself is straightforward, ensure clarity by specifying the exact timeframe being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "most recent period" or "previous period" may be used for variety, though they carry slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most recent period

Replaces "last" with "most recent", emphasizing recency.

latest phase

Similar to "most recent period", highlighting the newness.

previous period

Substitutes "last" with "previous", indicating a preceding timeframe.

preceding timeframe

A more formal way to say "previous period".

final term

Replaces "period" with "term", suitable for academic or legislative contexts.

concluding phase

Uses more descriptive language to convey the end of a process.

ultimate stage

Stresses that it is the final stage.

terminal stage

Emphasizes the finality of the period, suitable for processes or events.

end phase

Short and direct, indicating the ending portion.

closing chapter

A more figurative way to describe the end of something.

FAQs

How can I use "last period" in a sentence?

You can use "last period" to refer to the most recent timeframe, like "During the "last period", we saw an increase in sales", or to the concluding portion of something.

What phrases are similar to "last period"?

Similar phrases include "most recent period", "previous period", or "final term" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "last period" and "previous period"?

While similar, "last period" often implies the very most recent period, while "previous period" can refer to any period that came before the current one.

Can "last period" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "last period" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when referring to financial, academic, or legislative timeframes. However, ensure the context is clear and specific.