last time working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last time working" is not correct and may cause confusion in written English.
It could be used in contexts discussing a previous occasion when something was functioning or operational, but it lacks clarity. Example: "The last time working on this project, we encountered several challenges that we need to address."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"A lot of times when you're playing at home, there's sometimes a big gap from your last time working out to the game," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm grateful we had one last time working together at my theater - he did an amazing show w/what was one of his last gigs.

Huffington Post

At the beginning of the night, a grinning volunteer for Romney's campaign had quipped that "the circus is in town" before indicating that this would be his last time working on a presidential election.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She gets the sack, but the agency gives her one last chance, this time working for a woman.

The Guardian - Film

Hell, who am I kidding, it's one of the only successful relationships I've ever had! Rick's been a friend and advised me before, and we talked last time about working together on my previous album.

Huffington Post

"I only worked with him — even the last time I worked with him — because literally I got blackmailed by my label," she said. .

Huffington Post

The last time Torre and Steinbrenner worked out a contract extension, Torre walked up to Steinbrenner's office in Yankee Stadium and quickly worked out the framework for an agreement.

The New York Times - Sports

The last time I worked with Puff was writing the Vh1 reality show called "So You Wanna Work for Diddy?" To which my answer is no.

Huffington Post

One is tempted to guess who was president the last time it worked: Nixon?

The New York Times

"The last time I worked was in August, and it's been devastating ever since.

The New York Times

That film was the last time Hedren worked with Hitchcock; she knew she needed to escape.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a previous employment situation, use phrases like "last job", "previous role", or "most recent position" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "last time working" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more precise language that specifies the context, such as "last project" or "previous employment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last time working" functions as a temporal reference, indicating a point in the past when work was performed. However, it's often considered grammatically awkward. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase may lack clarity. In many examples found, a more descriptive phrase, like "the last time I worked", is more precise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "last time working" is used, it's not considered grammatically ideal. As Ludwig AI indicates, it may lack clarity. Grammatically sound alternatives such as "the last time I worked", "previous job", or "most recent project" offer better precision and formality. High quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian have instances of use, but the overall quality suggests that writers should consider alternatives, especially in professional or academic contexts. Using alternative phrasing enhances clarity and is considered better practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last time I was working

Slightly more grammatically correct with the addition of 'was'.

the last project I worked on

Specific to project-based employment, emphasizing the project.

previous working occasion

Rephrases 'time' to 'occasion' while maintaining the focus on working.

the last time I was employed

Expresses the idea with an emphasis on the state of being employed.

most recent work experience

Focuses on the work experience rather than a specific instance in time.

my last time on the job

This is an informal and emphatic way to refer to a specific occasion.

prior work engagement

Uses a more formal term 'engagement' to denote a work activity.

last instance of employment

Highlights a formal employment period, differing from potentially freelance work.

my last work shift

Refers to a specific shift instead of general working.

the most recent job

Simplifies the expression focusing on a specific job instead of a work activity.

FAQs

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

While "last time working" isn't ideal, it sometimes appears in informal contexts. For better alternatives, consider "the last project I worked on" or "my most recent job".

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "last time working"?

More accurate options include "last time I worked", "most recent work experience", or "previous job".

Is it appropriate to use "last time working" in professional communication?

No, it is not. In professional settings, it's better to use phrases like "previous role", "last position", or "most recent project".

How does "last time working" differ from "last time I worked"?

"Last time I worked" is a complete clause and grammatically correct. "Last time working" is an abbreviated phrase that may sound awkward or unclear to some readers. Always try to include the subject and verb for better clarity.