Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

I went to Australia last spring.
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What do you mean by "last spring"?
(1) the year 2007's spring
(2) the year 2006's spring

Which one is more common for you?

Thank you in advance.

[CP]

Last spring is the most recent spring, so spring 2007 is the answer I would give. If you want to say spring 2006, you can say spring of last year or spring 2006.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner12]

Dear CP:

Thank you for your quick replies.

I understood you, but I have some questions.

Can you say "I went to Australia this spring" in the meaning of "I went to Australia spring 2007"?

You wrote "Last spring is the most recent spring," so in connection with this,
if I say "I went to the movies last Sunday," what do you mean by "last Sunday"? In this sentence, is "last Sunday" this week's Sunday(=September 16th)?

Thank you in advance.

[CP]

Yes, "I went to Australia this spring" means the most recent spring. "I'll go to Australia this winter" means in the upcoming winter.

"I went to the movies last Sunday" means the most recent Sunday, i.e., September 16. If I want to say I went on September 9, I could say, "I went to the movies Sunday before last" or "a week ago Sunday."

If I am going on September 23, I'll say, "I am going to the movies next Sunday / this Sunday / this coming Sunday."

If it is September 30, I'll say, "I am going to the movies Sunday after next / a week from this Sunday / a week from next Sunday."
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner12]

Dear CP:

Thank you again for your help. It is difficult for me to use precise English. Thanks to you, my English has improved step by step.

Have a nice day!!