last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the year immediately preceding the current one, often in the context of discussing events, experiences, or statistics from that time. Example: "Last year, we saw a significant increase in sales compared to the previous year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

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

Downey, from County Donegal, had been charged with the murders of four soldiers who died in the Hyde Park bomb in 1982, after his arrest at Gatwick airport last year.

The Guardian

This month, the Portuguese government agreed with the main opposition party on more austerity measures to cut its deficit faster than planned, to 4.6 percent of Portugal's gross domestic product next year from 9.4 percent last year.

The New York Times

Shad made his overture: "I'm gay, and when Prop. 8 passed, last year, it was a huge slap in the face for me.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 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

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

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

"They gave me their word a year ago and now I want them to honour that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data or events across years, clearly specify the years involved to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "sales increased compared to "last year", specify "sales in 2024 increased compared to 2023".

Common error

Avoid using "last year" without establishing a clear reference point. If the reader isn't aware of the current year, "last year" becomes ambiguous. Establish the context early in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last year" functions as an adverbial of time, specifying when something occurred. As Ludwig AI states, it is a commonly used phrase to indicate the year immediately preceding the current one. The provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts, always relating to events or states from the previous year.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last year" is a grammatically sound and widely understood phrase used to denote the year immediately preceding the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to set a timeframe. While generally neutral in register, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. For clarity, especially in formal writing, specifying the years in question can enhance precision. Remember to set the context to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives like "previous year" or "prior year" for formal tones and be mindful of the difference between "last year" and "a year ago".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Previous year

Replaces "last" with "previous", maintaining the same meaning.

Prior year

Similar to "previous year", but with a slightly more formal tone.

Year before

Uses a slightly different structure to indicate the year preceding the current one.

Last calendar year

Emphasizes the end of the calendar year.

A year ago

Indicates the same time frame using a temporal distance from the present.

The immediately preceding year

A very formal and explicit way of stating "last year".

The past year

Emphasizes the year as a period that has elapsed.

Twelve months ago

Specifies the duration more explicitly.

The year gone by

A more evocative way to refer to the previous year.

The year before last

Refers to two years prior, not directly interchangeable but related in temporal context.

FAQs

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

"Last year" typically refers to the year immediately preceding the current one. For example, "Last year, we launched a new product line".

What is a more formal alternative to "last year"?

In formal writing, you can use phrases like "previous year" or "prior year" instead of "last year".

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

While "the last year" isn't grammatically incorrect, "last year" is more common and idiomatic when referring to the year immediately before the current one. "The last year" might imply a concluding year in a series or a final year of a period.

What's the difference between "last year" and "a year ago"?

"Last year" refers specifically to the entire preceding calendar year. "A year ago" refers to a point in time 365 days in the past from the current date, which may fall into two different calendar years depending on the date.