similar to last vs similar to the last

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Similar to last' is used when referring to something that is similar to the last thing mentioned, while 'similar to the last' is used when referring to something that is similar to the most recent thing in a series.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1005 views

similar to last

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when referring to something that is similar to the last thing mentioned.

Examples:

The new design is similar to last year's model.
The situation is similar to last time we faced this issue.

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It does seem similar to last month's, Mr Skinner.
We must avoid a situation similar to last year where industry across Europe was brought to a standstill by a small group of people.
In 2001, a train crash occurred in Pécrot that was similar to last week's in Buizingen.
Wouldn't it be better to do something similar to last year's event?
This is not an accident, because if we conduct a stress test similar to last year's, which has not managed to restore confidence in the European banking sector, this might damage the credibility of the European Union.
So it is similar to the last case.
Evidence leads us to believe the children were victims of a crime similar to that committed last fall against the Doering siblings.
Because the viruses causing each year's epidemics are usually similar to the last year's it is possible to produce a vaccine for the coming influenza season with a good chance that it will be protective.
Mr President, it has once again been a high-quality debate on an important subject, similar to the last time we had an opportunity to debate these issues in this Chamber.
In Spain the price at source is following a similar curve to last season, with virgin olive oil at less than EUR 2.00/kg and lampante olive oil at EUR 1.80/kg, with a downward trend.
Overall, the Court's audit opinion on the accounts is now unqualified - positive, if you wish - but the opinion on underlying transactions is broadly similar to that of last year.
To that end, it is most important that the EU prepares for such eventualities, so as to ensure that consumers and airlines do not encounter delays similar to those of last year.
We need to ensure that situations similar to those that occurred last year do not happen again in the future.
Will there be objectives similar to those for the last cohesion policy?
But why is this situation persisting, and why are the underlying transactions in a situation broadly similar to that of last year?
The auditors have refused to clear 92% of the European Union's expenditure for 2009, and they estimate that at least GBP 6 billion should not have been paid out - a similar amount to that of last year, which has not yet been recovered.
There was something similar last year.
A similar accident occurred last week in Sofia.
I had a very similar night last night.
Someone I was close to had a similar accident last year.

Alternatives:

similar to the previous
similar to the one before
similar to the one mentioned earlier
similar to the one described previously
similar to the one discussed before

similar to the last

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when referring to something that is similar to the most recent thing in a series.