the last election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the last election" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the most recent election that took place, typically in a political context. Example: "The results of the last election have sparked significant debate among the citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Think about the last election.

The Guardian

What happened at the last election?

The Guardian

At the last election I didn't vote.

The Guardian

"In the last election, Latteri backed Cuffaro.

The Guardian

Did they vote in the last election?

The Guardian - Sport

"The last election, they saved the day.

The Guardian

Barack Obama won the last election.

The New York Times

I didn't vote in the last election.

The New Yorker

The last election Shays lost was in 2008.

The New Yorker

(AK scored 47% in the last election, in 2007).

The Economist

The last election was a disaster for polling firms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the last election", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific election you are referring to, especially if multiple elections have occurred recently. For example, specify the year or type of election (e.g. "the last presidential election").

Common error

Avoid using "the last election" without clear context. This can confuse readers if there have been multiple elections in a short period. Always provide clarifying information such as the year or type of election to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the last election" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement of a clause. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples where it acts as a clear reference point in political or historical discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the last election" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the most recent electoral event. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used in News & Media, serving to reference a specific event. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide context, specifying the year or type of election. Alternatives include "the previous election" or "the most recent election". When using "the last election", it is important to provide contextual clues to avoid ambiguity and confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The previous election

Replaces 'last' with 'previous', maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

The most recent election

Uses a descriptive phrase instead of 'last', clarifying the time frame.

The election before this one

Offers a more conversational way to refer to the preceding election.

The past election

Substitutes 'last' with 'past', providing a similar meaning.

The latest election cycle

Focuses on the electoral period rather than a specific event.

The concluded election

Highlights the completed nature of the electoral process.

The election that just happened

Provides an informal, immediate reference to the election.

The recent electoral contest

Uses more formal language to describe the election.

The vote that took place recently

Breaks down the phrase into its constituent parts for clarity.

The outcome of the polls

Refers to the result of the election, rather than the election itself.

FAQs

How can I use "the last election" in a sentence?

You can use "the last election" to refer to the most recent electoral event. For instance, "Turnout was significantly higher in "the last election" compared to previous years".

What's a more formal alternative to "the last election"?

A more formal alternative is "the most recent election" or "the previous election". These phrases provide a similar meaning but with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "the last elections" instead of "the last election"?

No, it is not generally correct unless you are referring to multiple elections that occurred as part of a single event (e.g. local and national elections held simultaneously). "The last election" refers to a single, specific electoral event.

What's the difference between "the last election" and "the next election"?

"The last election" refers to an election that has already occurred, while "the next election" refers to a future election that has not yet taken place. They are opposite in temporal reference.