this last week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this last week" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the week immediately preceding the current one, often in the context of discussing events or experiences that occurred during that time. Example: "This last week, I completed several important tasks that will help move the project forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

This last week hasn't been one.

Independent

Tell me what you saw this last week.

The New York Times

"This last week has been a preview.

The New York Times

(NF) I only took this last week.

The Guardian - Arts

I meant to post this last week.

The New York Times

But this last week …" She pauses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

This winter, this is nothing.

The New Yorker

We needed this yesterday.

The New York Times

This summer, the Wisconsin A.F.L.-C.I.O A.F.L.-C.I.O

The New Yorker

(Matt O'Brien highlighted this yesterday).

The Economist

This fiscal year, Texas received $2.03 billion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this last week", ensure it's clear you're referring to the week immediately before the current one. Avoid ambiguity by specifying dates if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "this last week" when simply "last week" suffices. The addition of "this" can sometimes be redundant and make the phrase sound less natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this last week" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify when an action occurred. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in setting a timeframe for past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this last week" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that specifies the week immediately preceding the current one. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase functions as an adverbial phrase and is used to provide temporal context in various forms of writing. Though very similar to the simpler version "last week", the inclusion of "this" can, at times, be redundant. It is observed with high frequency across news and media sources and with medium frequency in academia and science. When writing, make sure to avoid ambiguity by being specific about dates if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last week

A more concise and common way of saying "this last week".

the previous week

Replaces "this last" with "the previous" offering a slightly more formal tone.

in the past week

Focuses on the duration of time rather than a specific week.

the week before this one

A more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the sequence of weeks.

during the week prior

A more formal and less common alternative.

the week that just ended

Highlights the completion of the week in question.

the week concluded

Similar to the week that just ended, but focuses on completion.

the week gone by

A slightly more poetic and less formal option.

the seven days prior

A more literal and precise way of referring to the week.

the week immediately preceding this

Highly formal and emphasizes the direct sequence.

FAQs

What does "this last week" mean?

The phrase "this last week" refers to the week immediately preceding the current one. It's used to talk about events or actions that happened during that specific seven-day period.

Is there a difference between "this last week" and "last week"?

While very similar, "last week" is generally more common and concise. "This last week" can be used for emphasis, but is often redundant. Using "last week" is usually clearer.

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

You can use "this last week" to specify a timeframe when describing something that happened in the week before the current one. For example: "This last week, I finished reading a new book."

What are some alternatives to saying "this last week"?

Alternatives include "the previous week", "the week before this one", or "in the past week", depending on the nuance you want to convey.