this last month

USAGE SUMMARY

"this last month" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the month which has just passed. For example: "I've been very busy this last month, so I'm looking forward to some time off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Wherever we end up playing next year, this last month has shown what we are capable of".

The Guardian - Sport

But, I'm freaking out because tuition is due and I had to put money into the house this last month.

Huffington Post

I saw this last month and thought it was fun.

The Washington Post

I sampled this last month, and it was superb.

The New York Times - Food

More than 50 died like this last month.

The Guardian

This last month it has dropped all its leaves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Poland and Spain, which stand to lose influence, blocked this last December.

The Economist

Mentions the indictment of 42 union officials this last February.

The New Yorker

Bambi Francisco first reported this last October.

TechCrunch

Twitter detailed some of this last October.

TechCrunch

Tsavo was in the news again this last February.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this last month" when you want to specifically refer to the month that immediately precedes the current one, especially when emphasizing that timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "this last month" to refer to a month in the future. This phrase strictly indicates a past timeframe. For future references, use "next month" or "the following month".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this last month" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when something occurred. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts, indicating its role in temporal referencing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this last month" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the month immediately preceding the present one. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "last month" is a similar alternative, "this last month" can provide a slight emphasis on the specific timeframe. When using this phrase, ensure you're referencing a past period and not a future one. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "this last month" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last month

A more concise way of saying "this last month", omitting "this".

the past month

Replaces "this last" with "the past", maintaining the same meaning.

over the past month

Similar to "the past month", but emphasizing the duration of the period.

in the last month

Adds "in" to rephrase the expression, focusing on events within the timeframe.

during the last month

Similar to "in the last month", emphasizing the duration.

recent month

Uses "recent" instead of "this last", emphasizing the recency of the month.

previous month

Employs "previous" to indicate the immediately preceding month.

the month before

Another way to say previous month.

the month that just ended

Emphasizes the end of the month being referred to.

the month just gone

Uses a more descriptive phrase to refer to the month that has just ended.

FAQs

What does "this last month" mean?

The phrase "this last month" refers to the month immediately preceding the current one. It's used to describe events or periods within that timeframe.

Is "this last month" the same as "last month"?

While very similar, "this last month" and "last month" are often interchangeable. "This last month" can sometimes add a slight emphasis on the specific month you're discussing.

What are some alternatives to "this last month"?

Alternatives include "the past month", "recent month", "previous month", or simply "last month". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "this last month" in a sentence?

You can use "this last month" to describe events or trends that occurred during that period. For example, "The company's sales increased significantly this last month."