when we last spoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we last spoke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a previous conversation with someone, often to remind them of a past discussion or to provide context for the current conversation. Example: "When we last spoke, you mentioned that you were considering a job change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

MB ...I don't really have an awful lot more to say than when we last spoke, whatever it was, 18 months ago.

The Guardian

Malek said a curious thing to me when we last spoke.

TechCrunch

He left the conference and was en route to London for a gig when we last spoke.

Vice

His name is still legally Hostgator, and he still wants to clean up his hands and arm, but it seems like he's infinitely happier and healthier than when we last spoke.

Vice

As Tony said to me when we last spoke: "I've banned all talk of the last 13 years - we just want to look forward and talk about the years to come".

BBC

When we last spoke, she expressed empathy for Shirley.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

When we last spoke just before the release of American Drift, in July of 2015 she was poised to relocate from her longtime home in Weyers Cave, Virginia, where her immediate family owned an Italian restaurant, to her extended family's farm in the Pacajes province in Bolivia.

Vice

The first analog synth I bought; this was on the Since We Last Spoke tour in 2004.

Vice

This helps you stay organized with what you talked about with your connections and when you last spoke.

Columbia University

There's an aggressive defiance about the flamenco-ish intro to When I Last Spoke to Carol, which sounds exactly like the intro to Bigmouth Strikes Again played by Manuel from Fawlty Towers.

The Guardian - Music

As your list of prospects grows, it becomes more and more difficult and time consuming to figure out when you last spoke with which prospect and which information you send them.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we last spoke" to smoothly transition back to a prior discussion, providing context without being overly repetitive. For instance, start a follow-up email with this phrase to remind the recipient of your previous interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "when we last spoke" if the conversation was very recent (e.g., earlier that day). Phrases like "as we just discussed" are more appropriate to prevent sounding distant or formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we last spoke" functions as an adverbial clause of time, introducing information related to a previous interaction. It sets a temporal reference point, allowing speakers and writers to connect current topics with past discussions. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when we last spoke" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to refer back to a previous conversation. According to Ludwig, it sets a temporal context, facilitating smooth transitions between topics. Primarily found in news, academic and business contexts, this neutral to professional phrase can enhance clarity in written and spoken communication by reminding audiences of prior agreements or discussions. Related phrases like "the last time we talked" can serve as alternatives depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the last time we talked

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the previous conversation more directly.

during our previous conversation

Formal and highlights the conversational context.

as we discussed previously

Highlights the fact that a topic was discussed, downplaying the timing.

in our last discussion

Similar to "during our previous conversation" but slightly less formal.

the other day when we chatted

More casual and emphasizes the informal nature of the past interaction.

when we had our last meeting

Suitable when the previous interaction was a formal meeting.

as I mentioned before

Focuses on a point previously made by the speaker.

referring to our earlier exchange

Highlights a specific exchange of information.

following up on our last conversation

Implies an action is being taken as a direct result of the previous conversation.

recalling our previous dialogue

Formal way to bring something to mind from a past conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "when we last spoke" in a sentence?

You can use "when we last spoke" to refer back to a previous conversation, for example: "When we last spoke, you mentioned your interest in this project".

What's a more formal way to say "when we last spoke"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "during our previous conversation" or "in our last discussion".

Is it okay to use "when we last spoke" in an email?

Yes, "when we last spoke" is perfectly acceptable in emails, especially when you need to refer back to a prior conversation to provide context or follow up on a topic.

What can I say instead of "when we last spoke" if it was a very recent conversation?

If the conversation was very recent, using phrases like "as we just discussed" or "earlier today" would be more appropriate.