this past thursday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this past Thursday" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the Thursday that occurred most recently before the current day. Example: "We had a meeting this past Thursday to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wore it last Thursday.

The New York Times

Last Updated, Thursday, 2 30 p.m.

The New York Times

Last Thursday, the N.Y.

The New Yorker

Last Thursday (Mar.

The New Yorker

Wednesday night or early Thursday.

The New York Times

Tuesday, January 22 Wednesday, January 23 Thursday, January 24 Friday, January 25 Saturday, January 26 Sunday, January 27.

The New York Times

Tiffany popped 20% last Thursday and Friday".

Forbes

Last Updated, Saturday, 12 35 p.m.

The New York Times

Tuesday through next Sunday.

The New York Times - Arts

Wednesday through Friday.

The New York Times

Paul, Minn., early Saturday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this past thursday", ensure the context makes it clear that you are referring to the most recent Thursday and not a Thursday further in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "this past thursday" if there's a chance the reader might misinterpret it as a Thursday from several weeks ago. To prevent this, specify "last thursday" or "the thursday of last week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this past thursday" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when something occurred. It modifies a verb or clause by providing a temporal reference point.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this past thursday" is a grammatically sound way to refer to the Thursday immediately preceding the current day. While correct, it is less common than alternatives like "last Thursday". Although Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct, the data reveals it is rarely used in published sources. When employing this phrase, clarity is key to avoid any potential ambiguity. For more formal or precise communication, alternatives like "the thursday before this one" or "last thursday" are viable options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last thursday

This alternative is a more concise and common way to express the same meaning.

the thursday before this one

This alternative explicitly defines the thursday in relation to the current date.

the thursday that just passed

This alternative emphasizes the recency of the thursday.

the previous thursday

This alternative is a more formal and slightly less common way of saying "last thursday".

thursday of last week

This alternative provides a clearer indication of the week being referenced.

on thursday last week

This alternative inverts the order for emphasis.

the most recent thursday

This alternative highlights that no other thursdays have occurred since the one in question.

thursday gone by

This alternative uses a slightly more poetic and less common expression.

a week ago thursday

This alternative specifically indicates the time frame as one week prior.

thursday a week prior

This alternative is a more formal and emphatic way of saying "a week ago thursday".

FAQs

What does "this past thursday" mean?

The phrase "this past thursday" refers to the Thursday that immediately preceded the current day. It's another way of saying "last thursday".

Is it correct to say "this past thursday"?

Yes, the phrase "this past thursday" is grammatically correct and understandable. However, "last thursday" is more commonly used.

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

You can use alternatives like "last thursday" or "the thursday before this one".

Is there a difference between "this past thursday" and "last thursday"?

While both phrases are generally interchangeable, "last thursday" is more common and less prone to misinterpretation. "This past thursday" can sometimes be perceived as slightly more emphatic.