"last year" vs "past year"

Question

"last year" vs "past year"

Both 'last year' and 'past year' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Last year' refers to the most recent completed year before the current one, while 'past year' generally refers to any year before the current one, not necessarily the immediately preceding one.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

Use 'last year' to refer to the year immediately before the current one. It is used to talk about events, experiences, or situations that occurred in that specific year.

Examples:

I traveled to Europe last year.
Last year was a challenging time for many people.

Alternatives:

previous year
the year before
the year that just passed
the year that ended

Use 'past year' to refer to any year before the current one, not necessarily the immediately preceding one. It is more formal and less commonly used in casual conversation.

Examples:

Over the past year, I have learned a lot.
The company's performance has improved over the past year.

Alternatives:

previous year
the year before last
the year that has gone by
the year that has elapsed

Answer 1

last year

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

past year

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in everyday English.

"last year" vs "past year"

last year

past year

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