this past summer

USAGE SUMMARY

"this past summer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time period from the beginning of summer to just before the fall season. For example, "I spent this past summer traveling through Europe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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 result shows that this country has had enough.

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, follow "this past summer" with a comma if it begins a sentence or clause.

Common error

Avoid using "this past summer" to refer to a summer that is yet to come. Use "this coming summer" or "next summer" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this past summer" functions as a temporal specifier, indicating a specific time period in the recent past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. It modifies verbs and nouns by providing a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this past summer" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to denote the most recent summer season. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While similar to "last summer", it can offer a slightly more emphatic or formal tone. Remember to use it to refer to a summer that has already occurred and avoid confusing it with future summers. Common alternatives include "last summer" or "the previous summer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last summer

A more concise and common way to refer to the same time period.

the summer just gone

A British English variant of "last summer".

the previous summer

A slightly more formal alternative to "last summer".

the summer that just ended

Highlights the completion of the summer season.

the most recent summer

Emphasizes the recency of the summer being discussed.

the summer we just had

Informal, emphasizes shared experience of the past summer.

the summer of [year]

Specifies the exact year of the summer being referenced.

in the summer of [year]

Specifies the exact year of the summer being referenced with slightly different structure.

during the summer months of [year]

Specifies the exact year and emphasize the duration of the summer.

the summer before last

Refers to the summer of the previous year, indicating a slightly earlier time.

FAQs

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

While both refer to the most recent summer, "this past summer" can add a touch of emphasis or formality compared to the more common and concise "last summer".

Can I use "this past summer" to talk about something happening in the future?

No, "this past summer" refers to a time that has already occurred. For future summers, use phrases like "this coming summer" or "next summer".

What are some alternatives to "this past summer"?

Alternatives include "last summer", "the previous summer", or specifying the year, like "the summer of 2024".

Is "this past summer" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this past summer" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English writing and speech.