this last semester

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this last semester" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the most recent academic semester that has just concluded or is currently ongoing. Example: "I learned a lot about time management during this last semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We did this last semester," she encourages them.

Princeton University

Black, now in her final year of a politics and public policy degree at Glasgow University, says she has been lucky that this last semester has mainly required coursework.

The Guardian

"I taught a song performance class this last semester," she said, "and I kept telling them, 'I don't care how you sound, I care about the lyrics.' " At this phase in her career, Ms. Foster, 36, emphasized that she wants to be known "as an actress who sings and dances".

The New York Times

I am sad to be leaving, but as I finish up this last semester at Union Theological Seminary, I am excited to imagine the path forward, still steering towards my heart's horizon, but now with the practical experience, skills, and self-knowledge that will hopefully open up new opportunities for success along the way.

Columbia University

During this last semester, I investigated some of these more particular topics, looking at social issues such as diversity on campus, as well as more administrative changes such as the shifting preferences between different housing options, including dorms, apartments, and fraternities.

Johns Hopkins University

The effort kicked off this last semester at six California campuses, including UCLA, UC Irvine and San Jose State University, and will expand to 20 more college campuses this fall. .

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thankfully, this was the last semester I ll ever have to take classes.

Science Magazine

* This course fulfills the last semester of the foreign language requirement.

Columbia University

How stupid of me to not notice this glaring hole until the last semester of college!

HuffPost

Classes began last Monday, and incomplete grades from the last semester can still be made up.

The New York Times - Sports

This course is ordinarily taken in the last semester of enrollment.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this last semester" to refer to a recently finished or currently ongoing semester. Make sure the timing is evident to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "this last semester" to refer to a semester that will occur in the future. It's designed to address what has already happened. Use "next semester" instead for future references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this last semester" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifies the timeframe being discussed, typically within an academic or educational context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

57%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this last semester" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the most recent academic term. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is considered valid. It appears frequently in both academic and news media, offering a neutral and effective way to establish temporal context. When using "this last semester", ensure clarity regarding the time frame and avoid using it to refer to future semesters. Alternatives such as "the previous semester" or "the most recent semester" can also be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most recent semester

Replaces "this last" with "the most recent" to emphasize recency.

the previous semester

Uses "previous" to indicate the semester immediately preceding the current one.

the past semester

Substitutes "last" with "past", maintaining the same temporal reference.

the semester that just ended

More explicitly defines the time frame.

the semester recently concluded

Formal phrasing emphasizing the completion of the semester.

the semester before now

Informal phrasing indicating a semester prior to the present.

the immediately preceding semester

More formal alternative to "the previous semester".

this past academic term

Replaces semester with academic term for broader applicability

the term we just finished

More informal, conversational substitute.

the lately finished semester

Lately finished implies recently concluded

FAQs

How can I use "this last semester" in a sentence?

You can use "this last semester" to describe events, experiences, or changes that occurred during the most recent academic semester, as in "I took an interesting course this last semester".

What's the difference between "this last semester" and "the previous semester"?

"This last semester" and "the previous semester" are largely interchangeable, but "this last semester" implies a slightly stronger connection to the present moment. You can use alternatives like "the past semester" or "the most recent semester".

Is it correct to say "this last semester" or should I use another phrasing?

It is perfectly correct to use "this last semester". However, depending on the context, phrases like "the previous semester" or "the semester before" might be more appropriate.

Can I use "this last semester" to refer to a semester in the future?

No, "this last semester" refers to a semester that has already occurred or is currently ongoing. To refer to a future semester, use "next semester" or "the upcoming semester".