Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Tony 1963]

Hi,

Would you please explain to me what's the differences between "last" and previous"? as in the following sentence.

(In Chapter 3) As discussed in the previous chapter (chapter 2)....

Can we say "last chapter" here? If yes, what is the differences?

Thanks.

Tony

[Mister Micawber]

.
In many situations-- here, for instance-- you can use either and be understood because you have also indicated the chapter numbers; but be careful of possible confusion. Previous means the one before this one, but last could mean the e.g. final chapter of the book.

I'm reading Chapter 7 now, and I also read the last chapter.

Is this Chapter 6, or did the speaker skip ahead and read Chapter 12?
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[Tony 1963]

Thank you, Mister Micawber!