this past september

USAGE SUMMARY

"this past September" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific month in the past, such as "We went on vacation this past September."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This past September, Digital Guardian acquired Code Green Networks, a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) network.

TechCrunch

This past September, the Respect After Death Act was signed by the governor.

Vice

It opened last September.

The New York Times - Travel

That was last April.

The New York Times

Departures from May to September.

Independent

Last September, the T.R.F.

The New York Times - Sports

Late September, Near Jos, Nigeria.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Open April through September.

The New York Times

June to September.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

That changed last September.

Forbes

Breeding mainly August to September.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required by your audience; "last september" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "this past september" to refer to a september in the future. Instead, use "next september" or "september of next year" for future references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this past september" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurred. It modifies a verb or clause by providing a temporal reference point. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in news and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this past september" is a grammatically sound and acceptably frequent phrase used to refer to the september of the year prior to the current one. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some usage also present in encyclopedias and science. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for a wide range of writing. When using the phrase, ensure it's clear you're referring to the immediately preceding september to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "last september" or "the previous september" based on context and desired formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last september

Omits "this past" for a more concise expression.

the previous september

Uses "previous" for a slightly more formal tone.

september of last year

Rephrases to specify the year more explicitly.

september last year

A more concise and informal phrasing.

the september before this one

Emphasizes the temporal relationship to the current month.

in september of the preceding year

A more formal and somewhat verbose alternative.

that september

Requires prior context to be clear about which September is being referred to.

september a year ago

Expresses the time frame in terms of 'a year ago'.

one year ago in september

Rearranges the phrase to emphasize the duration.

the september just gone

A more colloquial and slightly less common phrasing.

FAQs

How is "this past september" different from "last september"?

While both phrases refer to the september of the previous year, "this past september" can add a slight emphasis on the immediacy or relevance of that specific time, whereas "last september" is a more neutral reference.

When should I use "this past september" instead of "the previous september"?

"This past september" is generally more conversational, while "the previous september" is more formal and often preferred in academic or business writing.

Can I use "this past september" to refer to a september that is more than a year ago?

No, "this past september" always refers to the september immediately preceding the current year. For septembers further in the past, specify the year or use phrases like "september of 2023".

What are some alternative ways to say "this past september" in a more formal context?

In a formal setting, you could use phrases such as "the previous september", "september of last year", or "in september of the preceding year".