Question

When do we use last (as in I saw her last week), or the last, as in I'm away in the last week of December.

Answer 1

I am trying to understand your question. "Last" can be used as an adjective or an adverb. In some instances, can also be a noun. So what are you asking here? The examples... or?

Answer 2

I am looking at a quiz to give my ESL student, on Last & th last. What are the rules to use last or the last.

Answer 3

Thanks. Your information helped. Now I will do my best to help you. Alright…

As an adjective:
1. something final - e.g. she caught the last train
2. most recent in time / latest - e.g. last year
3. only remaining -e.g. this is my last hope

As a noun:
1. the last thing or person; the one occurring,
mentioned, or acting after all others,
e.g. the last of their guests had gone
2. the last of - the only part of something that remains
3. (the last) the end or last moment, esp. death
e.g. she did love me to the last
4. (the last) the last mention or sight of someone or something
e.g. that was the last we saw of her

Answer 4

I would say that: "the last" is used in final cases of things -like: catching the last train or flight (because that is the last flight of the day, there will be no more); "the last" time of seeing someone - e.g. the person went missing and the last person to see her alive was her Grandmother.

Answer 5

As of just "last" - those are the things that happened in the recent time... e.g. last year I had a blast during the skiing trip to St. Moritz; last time I forgot to eat my breakfast.