last we spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last we spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the last time a conversation was held. For example: "We haven't talked since we went our separate ways, but last we spoke you seemed to be doing well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And while Wylonis had previously talked about aiming for a million users by now when last we spoke (this time last year), which was clearly overly optimistic, the team can chalk up lessons learnt about the power of the selfie as an engagement mechanism — giving them one telling metric for doubling down on photo-sharing now.

TechCrunch

When last we spoke of him in those terms it followed tweets he posted claiming that a group of young white sportsmen had been "battered" by 70 Muslims.

The Guardian

When last we spoke in February the company wasn't breaking out active users, noting only that it was getting 500,000 downloads per month at that time.

TechCrunch

"Last we spoke, we were launching the beta of the web app, and that was all about giving people the opportunity to create new Haiku Decks outside of the context of the iPad app," Tratt said in an interview.

TechCrunch

That said, the Blocks team told TechCrunch it is now expecting to ship the device at the end of next year — which has pushed on from the mid-2015 timentionedentioned when last we spoke.

TechCrunch

When last we spoke, Julie was preparing for the LSAT exam.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

MR: The last time we spoke, we discussed your last album, Shout It Out, which still sports a lot of potential singles beyond what's been released.

Huffington Post

Last time we spoke I was all about snowboard cross... that is soooooooo last week, dude.

Independent

It was the last time we spoke.

The New York Times

The last time we spoke was in 2006.

The Guardian - Music

Last time we spoke, Washington State was clinging to a 24-21 lead over San Diego State.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last we spoke" to smoothly transition to a topic discussed in a previous conversation, ensuring context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "last we spoke" interchangeably with phrases like "last time we spoke about", as the latter is more specific about the subject matter previously discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last we spoke" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, indicating a specific point in the past when a conversation occurred. It introduces information related to that previous interaction. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last we spoke" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned phrase used to refer back to a previous conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it is widely understood and appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media. It's important to use it accurately to ensure a clear connection to the prior interaction. Alternatives like "the last time we spoke" or "when we last talked" can offer slight variations in emphasis or formality. "Last we spoke" serves the purpose of providing context and continuity by referencing past discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when we last talked

Directly substitutes 'spoke' with 'talked', maintaining the same temporal context.

the last time we talked

Adds 'time' for emphasis, slightly increasing the formality of the statement.

the last time we had a conversation

Replaces 'spoke' with a more descriptive phrase, increasing formality and length.

when we last had contact

Substitutes 'spoke' with 'had contact', broadening the scope beyond just verbal communication.

previously, when we spoke

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the 'previous' nature of the conversation.

in our last conversation

Frames the statement around the 'conversation' itself, rather than the act of speaking.

the other day when we spoke

Indicates a recent conversation, adding a sense of recency.

our previous discussion

Uses 'discussion' instead of 'spoke', focusing on the content exchanged.

at our last meeting

Specifies the context as a 'meeting', limiting the scope to formal interactions.

before our most recent exchange

A more formal and distant way of referring to a past communication.

FAQs

How can I use "last we spoke" in a sentence?

You can start a sentence with "Last we spoke" to refer back to a previous conversation. For example, "Last we spoke, you were planning your vacation."

What's a more formal alternative to "last we spoke"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "in our last conversation" or "during our previous discussion".

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

Yes, "the last time we spoke" is grammatically correct and very similar in meaning to "last we spoke". It simply adds emphasis on the 'time'.

What's the difference between "last we spoke" and "last time we spoke about"?

"Last we spoke" refers to the general conversation, while "last time we spoke about [topic]" specifies that the previous conversation focused on a particular topic. For example, "last time we spoke about your plans, things have changed."