this past Saturday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this past Saturday" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the Saturday that occurred most recently before the current day. Example: "We had a great time at the picnic this past Saturday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

What happened this past Saturday felt like the collective consciousness of this nation acting out in a moment of madness.

Huffington Post

But this past Saturday, everything came crashing down.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am one of the hundreds of people who helped organize the protest this past Saturday.

The New York Times

Wayne Hills won its final regular-season game this past Saturday, defeating Northern Highlands 56-0.

The New York Times - Sports

— Ben Greenman Van Morrison played at the United Palace in New York this past Saturday.

The New Yorker

Van Morrison played at the United Palace in New York this past Saturday.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This past Saturday, March 18th, Drake released his 10th album titled 'More Life'.

Huffington Post

It was June 28, not this past Saturday.

The New York Times - Arts

This past Saturday, we witnessed a historic moment across this country.

Huffington Post

It was Aug. 3, not this past Saturday.

The New York Times - Arts

This past Saturday morning, around eleven Kabul time, Shinwari got a phone call from the Embassy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this past Saturday" to clearly indicate the most recent Saturday, especially when the context might otherwise be ambiguous. It provides more specific information than just 'last Saturday'.

Common error

Avoid using "this past Saturday" when you actually mean "this Saturday" (the upcoming Saturday). The inclusion of 'past' is crucial for indicating that you are referring to the Saturday that has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this past Saturday" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurred. It provides temporal context, indicating the Saturday immediately preceding the present day. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this past Saturday" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal phrase that specifies the Saturday immediately preceding the present day. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "last Saturday" exist, "this past Saturday" offers a clear and unambiguous way to anchor an event in time. It is important to differentiate it from "this Saturday", which refers to the upcoming Saturday. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "this past Saturday" to enhance clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Last Saturday

More concise and commonly used alternative.

The Saturday just gone

British English variant, conveying the same meaning.

The previous Saturday

Formal and clear way to reference the Saturday immediately before the present.

The Saturday that just passed

Slightly more verbose, emphasizing the recent occurrence.

The Saturday before last

Specifies a Saturday two weeks prior, adding a degree of separation.

Saturday last

Archaic but understandable alternative.

That Saturday

Refers to a specific Saturday previously mentioned or understood.

The Saturday in question

Used when referring to a Saturday that is being discussed or is relevant.

On Saturday

Simple and direct reference to a Saturday.

This Saturday

Refers to the upcoming Saturday, not the one that has already passed.

FAQs

What does "this past Saturday" mean?

The phrase "this past Saturday" refers to the Saturday that immediately preceded the current day. It's used to specify a particular Saturday in the recent past.

Is it correct to say "this past Saturday"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted to say "this past Saturday" when you want to refer to the Saturday that just occurred.

What can I say instead of "this past Saturday"?

You can use alternatives like "last Saturday" or "the previous Saturday" to convey the same meaning.

When should I use "this past Saturday" instead of "last Saturday"?

Use "this past Saturday" for emphasis or when there might be confusion about which Saturday you are referring to. "Last Saturday" is generally sufficient, but "this past Saturday" can provide added clarity.