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REFERENCE

the last time

fixed phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

fixed phr.. This phrase refers to the most recent occasion something happened. It can also mean the final occasion, with no more to follow.

fixed phr.. A noun phrase functioning as an adverbial of time, indicating the most recent or final occurrence of an event.


SIMPLE

When was the last time you saw her?

CONTEXTUAL

The last time I went to the cinema, the tickets were much cheaper than they are now.

COMPLEX

She couldn't recall the last time she had felt such profound peace, a quiet that settled not just around her but within her.

Usage

Often used in questions with 'When was...?' or in statements to set up a comparison with the present.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'for the last time' (which implies a final warning) and 'at last' (which means 'finally').

Pitfall

The last time I have seen him was yesterday.The last time I saw him was yesterday.Use the simple past tense, not the present perfect, when referring to a specific point in the past with 'the last time'.

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