last time

USAGE SUMMARY

"last time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that happened in the past, often the most recent occurrence before the present. For example: "I went to the beach last time I visited the island."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last time M.B.W.F.

The New Yorker

My last time scrubbing?

The New Yorker

I didn't last time.

The New York Times - Sports

We choked last time.

Independent

The last time I cried.

Independent

"Last time, ribs were broken".

The New York Times

Last time, only 65% voted.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Very similar to last time.

The New York Times - Sports

She paused one last time.

The New York Times

"You did it last time".

The New Yorker

The last time the C.B.O.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last time" to clearly refer to the most recent occurrence of an event or situation, especially when comparing it to the present or future.

Common error

Avoid omitting "the" before "last time" when referring to a specific instance that is known to both the speaker and the audience. For example, say "The last time we met..." rather than "Last time we met..." when it's clear which meeting you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last time" functions as a noun phrase and can also act as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs and clauses to indicate when something occurred. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last time" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to refer to a previous occasion or event. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It functions primarily as a noun phrase or adverbial modifier, providing temporal context to statements. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Common synonyms include "previous occasion" and "prior instance". The most frequent context in which "last time" is used is in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the last occasion

Adds formality and emphasizes the specific event, similar to "previous occasion".

previous occasion

Replaces "time" with "occasion", emphasizing a specific event or instance in the past.

prior instance

Substitutes both "last" and "time" with synonyms that highlight the sequential nature of events.

most recent occurrence

More formal and explicitly states that it is the latest event before the present.

the other day

Less precise and implies a recent but unspecified time in the past.

not long ago

Focuses on the recency of the event without specifying that it was the immediate preceding one.

in the past

A general reference to a time before the present, lacking the specificity of "last time".

earlier

A simple and direct way to indicate that something happened before something else.

previously

An adverbial form indicating a prior action or state.

before

A concise way to indicate precedence, often used in conjunction with another event.

FAQs

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

"Last time" can refer to the most recent occasion something happened. For example, "I enjoyed the movie "last time" I went to the cinema."

What phrases are similar to "last time"?

Similar phrases include "previous occasion", "prior instance", or "most recent occurrence".

Is it correct to say "the last time" instead of "last time"?

Both are correct, but "the last time" is used when referring to a specific instance. "Last time" is more general. For example, "The last time I saw her, she was happy" refers to a specific event.

What's the difference between "last time" and "the previous time"?

"Last time" typically refers to the most recent occurrence, while "the previous time" can refer to any earlier occurrence, not necessarily the immediately preceding one.