this past spring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this past spring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the spring season that occurred most recently before the current date. Example: "This past spring, we planted a variety of flowers in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was the summer of 1967.

The New York Times

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

This is wrong".

The New York Times

But is this right?

The New York Times

This is probably true.

The New York Times

There is a reason for this.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't always like this, of course.

The New York Times - Travel

This list is far from exhaustive.

The Guardian

As an environmentalist, and someone who believes that everyone in this world has a right to a healthy and nutritious diet of their choosing, I could not have chosen a more counter-productive path.

The New York Times

What explains this?

The New York Times

This was a mistake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this past spring" when you want to specifically emphasize that you're referring to the spring season immediately preceding the current date. It can add a slightly more formal or reflective tone compared to "last spring".

Common error

Avoid using "this past spring" to refer to a spring season that is yet to come. This phrase always refers to a spring that has already occurred. Instead, use "this coming spring" or "this upcoming spring" for future references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this past spring" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurred. While Ludwig has limited direct examples, similar temporal phrases are used to provide context and timing within sentences.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this past spring" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the spring season immediately preceding the current date. While less common than alternatives like "last spring", it can add a slightly more formal tone. Ludwig indicates the phrase is valid, though lacking direct examples suggests it might be used less frequently in published writing. It's important to avoid confusing it with future spring seasons and to use it appropriately to provide a clear temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last spring

More concise and commonly used alternative.

the previous spring

Formal and emphasizes the spring season immediately before the present.

spring of this year

More descriptive, specifying the year in question.

earlier this spring

Focuses on a time within the same spring season, but earlier.

the spring before now

Emphasizes the sequence of seasons leading to the current moment.

in the spring just gone

British English alternative, indicating a recently completed spring.

the spring season just ended

Descriptive and emphasizes the end of the spring season.

the spring we just had

Informal and emphasizes shared experience of the recent spring.

recent spring

Highlights the recency of the spring season in question.

the spring that just passed

Emphasizes the passing of time since the spring season.

FAQs

How can I use "this past spring" in a sentence?

You can use "this past spring" to describe events that happened during the spring season immediately before the present. For example, "This past spring, the cherry blossoms bloomed exceptionally early."

What's a more common alternative to "this past spring"?

A more common and concise alternative is "last spring". It conveys the same meaning but is generally used more frequently in everyday conversation and writing.

Is it correct to say "this past spring" or should I always use "last spring"?

Both "this past spring" and "last spring" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. "This past spring" can add a slightly more formal or reflective tone.

Can "this past spring" refer to a spring in the distant past?

No, "this past spring" always refers to the spring season immediately preceding the current date. If you need to refer to a spring season further in the past, specify the year or use phrases like "several springs ago".