English question - on the last month?

[kenny1999]

Is it common to see the phrase "on the last month", "on the last week" or "on the last year" in spoken or written English?

I believe that "last month" or "last week" alone is absolutely correct. For example, I saw him last month. This suggests a point of time.

I also know that "over the last/past few months" should be correct, it suggests a period of time.

What would it mean if it's correct to say "on the last month"?

I first started learning English 30 years ago, when I was a kid. In fact, I never saw such phrases before.

 

 

 

 

 

[Peterkin]

17 minutes ago, kenny1999 said:

What would it mean if it's correct to say "on the last month"?

It's iffy. It might be all right if that month was the last in a period of time spanning several months, and something notable - like a change in some condition - took place during that final month. Even so, it would be more usual to say 'In the last month of his life, Mr. Jones lost interest in nourishment," or something like that. You would certainly say 'on the last day of the month', but 'in the last days' and 'in the last hour of that day'. Prepositions assume their places by convention, even when logic doesn't support their placement.   

 

17 minutes ago, kenny1999 said:

I believe that "last month" or "last week" alone is absolutely correct.

Yes, if you're talking about the month preceding the present one. No, if you're talking about the final month of 1999.

 

Edited June 28 by Peterkin

[StringJunky]

As an English native, I would say "IN the last month", suggesting within a period of a month. A 'month' is a plurality of 'days'. The correct time to use 'on' is when describing singular days, In this context, 'days' represent a singular period-unit that is not considered divisible. So, you can't meet someone "In Wednesday", but you can meet them "On Wednesday".

[MigL]

1 hour ago, kenny1999 said:

What would it mean if it's correct to say "on the last month"?

On the last month of the year we celebrate Christmas.

Both have their uses and proper applicability.

[kenny1999]

1 hour ago, StringJunky said:

As an English native, I would say "IN the last month", suggesting within a period of a month. A 'month' is a plurality of 'days'. The correct time to use 'on' is when describing singular days, In this context, 'days' represent a singular period-unit that is not considered divisible. So, you can't meet someone "In Wednesday", but you can meet them "On Wednesday".

I understand your explanation.

But how about the example "On the last month of the year....." suggested in the above reply?

[MigL]

Even when Wednesday is considered divisible, as in "I'll meet you on Wednesday at three o' clock", it is improper to use 'in Wednesday'.
Just a rule of applicability.

( which you learn by experience; English is not very intuitive )

Edited June 28 by MigL

[StringJunky]

45 minutes ago, kenny1999 said:

I understand your explanation.

But how about the example "On the last month of the year....." suggested in the above reply?

Applying the same idea/rule as before: In the above sentence, 'month' is the shortest period-unit, since there are 12 months in the year, and 'year' is the plurality  of a 'month'. So, it is quite correct to say "On the last month of the year. Context matters whether in or on is used, 

Edited June 28 by StringJunky

[kenny1999]

On 6/29/2024 at 3:21 AM, StringJunky said:

Applying the same idea/rule as before: In the above sentence, 'month' is the shortest period-unit, since there are 12 months in the year, and 'year' is the plurality  of a 'month'. So, it is quite correct to say "On the last month of the year. Context matters whether in or on is used, 

Thanks. I understand. Whether in or on is used depends on the context and their relativity.

I now have another question.

Example, I saw him last month, it's perfect because that I saw him is usually a quick and one-time action.

But what if I'd like to say that I often worked overnight last month?

Which one is correct?

I often worked overnight last month.

I often worked overnight in the last month.

I often worked overnight in last month.

Also, which one is correct? Suggesting or emphasizing that I drank a lot during the time.

I drank a lot last week.

I drank a lot in the last week.

I drank a lot in last week.

By the way, is simple past tense the most appropriate tense?

[StringJunky]

2 minutes ago, kenny1999 said:

Thanks. I understand. Whether in or on is used depends on the context and their relativity.

I now have another question.

Example, I saw him last month, it's perfect because that I saw him is usually a quick and one-time action.

But what if I'd like to say that I often worked overnight last month?

Which one is correct?

I often worked overnight last month.

I often worked overnight in the last month.

I often worked overnight in last month.

Also, which one is correct? Suggesting or emphasizing that I drank a lot during the time.

I drank a lot last week.

I drank a lot in the last week.

I drank a lot in last week.

By the way, is simple past tense the most appropriate tense?

The first two in each set seem good to me.

[zapatos]

On 6/28/2024 at 11:39 AM, kenny1999 said:

Is it common to see the phrase "on the last month", "on the last week" or "on the last year" in spoken or written English?

 

I don't think so. I read a lot and I've not seen such phrases frequently. Certainly no one in my circle uses those phrases frequently when speaking .

Edited June 30 by zapatos