this last year

USAGE SUMMARY

"this last year" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the past year, either in general terms or with a specific focus. For example: "This last year has been busy, but also rewarding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Just over 1,000 students did this last year.

Independent

I did this last year.

The New York Times - Sports

And just this last year, we hit seven billion.

Cornell University

The #GRAMMYs perfectly encapsulated this last year in music.

Independent

"We should all celebrate this last year," Pitino said.

The New York Times - Sports

He first offered to do this last year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Marked deterioration this last year".

The Guardian - Books

That's what this last year was.

The New York Times

"This last year was extremely difficult".

The New York Times

"This last year was a nightmare.

The New York Times - Arts

Sri Lanka discovered this last year.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this last year" when you want to emphasize that you are referring to the year that has just concluded, especially when contrasting it with the current or upcoming year.

Common error

Avoid using "this last year" with future tense verbs. It refers to a completed period, so use past or present perfect tenses instead. For example, say "This last year has shown significant growth" not "This last year will show significant growth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this last year" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the time frame in which an action or state occurred, focusing on the immediately preceding year. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this last year" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to the immediately preceding year. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and useful expression. Its frequency across various sources, particularly in news, academia, and scientific publications, highlights its versatility. When using this phrase, be sure to use the appropriate tense and consider alternatives like "the past year" or "last year" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember, precision and context are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the past year

Focuses on the completion of the year, emphasizing what has already occurred.

the previous year

Highlights the year immediately preceding the current one, establishing a clear temporal sequence.

last year

A shorter, more common way to express the same timeframe, lacking the slight emphasis of "this last year".

the year before

Similar to 'the previous year', providing a simple temporal relationship to the present.

the preceding year

A more formal synonym for 'the previous year', suitable for academic or professional contexts.

the year just gone

A more colloquial phrase that emphasizes the recent passing of the year.

within the last 12 months

Specifies the period more precisely, useful when accuracy is important.

in the past twelve months

Similar to 'within the last 12 months', but focuses on the events that happened during the period.

over the last year

Emphasizes duration throughout the period.

during the last year

Highlights events and actions that occurred within the timeframe.

FAQs

What does "this last year" mean?

"This last year" refers to the period of approximately 365 days immediately preceding the current date. It's often used to discuss events, changes, or trends that have occurred within that timeframe.

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

While very similar, "this last year" often carries a slightly greater emphasis on the year that has just been completed, suggesting a reflection on that specific period. "Last year" is a more general term.

Can I use "this last year" to talk about future events?

No, "this last year" should only be used to refer to events that have already occurred. Use future tenses or phrases like "next year" or "the coming year" when discussing future events.

What are some alternatives to using "this last year" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the past year", "the previous year", "the year before", or "in the last 12 months".