this time last year

USAGE SUMMARY

'this time last year' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about what happened a year ago from the present time. For example: This time last year, I was living in a different city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This time last year, Forlán was irrepressible.

The New York Times - Sports

But this time last year?

The Guardian - Sport

"I think back to this time last year.

The Guardian

This time last year, Dancing Rain was hopeless.

Independent

This time last year, Ferrante was everywhere.

The Guardian - Books

This time last year, she wasn't a shampooist.

The New Yorker

"This time last year, my life was already gone.

Independent

You know where Messi was at this time last year?

Independent

This time last year it was worse, at 5.6%.

The Economist

THIS time last year investors were salivating over Apple's stock.

The Economist

By this time last year, McIlroy had four tour victories.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this time last year" to provide a clear temporal reference when comparing situations or events across a one-year interval. It's especially useful in reports, articles, and personal narratives to highlight changes or continuities.

Common error

Avoid using "this time last year" when you actually mean "last year". "This time last year" refers to the same date or period one year prior, not the entire previous year.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this time last year" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by specifying a point in time that is exactly one year prior to the current moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and useful expression for temporal referencing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this time last year" is a very common and grammatically correct temporal reference used to pinpoint events or conditions that occurred exactly one year prior to the present date. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves as an adverbial modifier, adding context and facilitating comparisons across a one-year interval. When using "this time last year", it's crucial to differentiate it from simply "last year", which encompasses the entire preceding year. Similar phrases include "a year ago today" and "one year prior to now", but care should be taken to align the temporal precision with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a year ago today

Focuses on the exact date one year prior.

exactly a year ago

Stresses the precision of the one-year timeframe.

last year at this date

Highlights a specific date in the previous year.

one year prior to now

Emphasizes the temporal distance from the present moment.

same time the year before

Highlights the yearly recurrence from a past point

previous year same period

Refers to a corresponding time frame in the preceding year.

12 months ago

Quantifies the time passed in months.

year-ago equivalent

Indicates a point of comparison with the same time in the previous year.

at this point in the past year

Generalizes the reference to a similar moment during the previous year.

a year from then

It focuses on what happened one year after a different moment in the past, instead of now.

FAQs

How can I use "this time last year" in a sentence?

You can use "this time last year" to compare a past event with the present. For example, "This time last year, I was still searching for a job, but now I have a great one".

What phrases are similar to "this time last year"?

Similar phrases include "a year ago today", "one year prior to now", and "12 months ago", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as of this time last year" instead of "this time last year"?

Yes, "as of this time last year" is a correct and usable alternative. It adds a sense of formality, indicating a specific point for comparison.

What's the difference between "this time last year" and "last year"?

"This time last year" refers to the same date or period in the previous year, whereas "last year" refers to the entire preceding year.