‘Last Week’ or ‘Lastweek’: Which is Correct?

Are you unsure about the correct way to write the term 'last week' - as two separate words or as one-word 'lastweek'?We can help you make the right choice, plus teach you how to use the correct one in a sentence. You’ll also learn how to pronounce it.

If you need a quick answer, here it is: 

• The correct way to write this phrase is ‘last week.’ It means the week before this week.
• Avoid using the version without the space in between, as it’s incorrect and ungrammatical.

That's why it's best to use only 'last week' and not the other spelling of the word.

‘Last Week’ vs. The Last Week vs. The Past Week

When someone says ‘last week,’ they’re referring to the week before the present week.

But if they say ‘the last week,’ it’s usually in reference to the last week of a month or of the year.

Saying the past week is similar to saying ‘last week.’ They mean the same thing. It’s just a different way of saying the same thing according to standard grammar rules.

In the Last Week vs. Last Week

Now, if someone says ‘in the last week,’ they’re talking about the week that’s just past. It means the same thing as ‘last week’ and ‘the past week.’

They’re all just different variations of the same expression.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Last Week’

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘last’ as:

• To continue in time, to remain fresh or unimpaired, to manage to continue (as in the course of action), and to continue to live.
• It could also mean to be enough for the needs of or to continue in existence or action as long as or longer than.

Other definitions include following all the rest, being the only remaining, distinct, separate, conclusive, farthest from a specified quality, attitude, or likelihood, and the next before the present (most recent), and belonging to the final states (as of life).

The same dictionary defines ‘week’ as:

• Any series of 7-day cycles used in various calendars, any seven consecutive days, or a series of regular working, business, or school days during each 7-day period.

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Last Week’

Are you curious about how to pronounce this word? Here’s a short guide.

To pronounce this phrase correctly, here’s the phonetic spelling:

lAHst-WEEK

How to Use ‘Last Week’ in a Sentence

Now that we’ve got the definitions and pronunciation out of the way let’s see some examples of how to use this phrase in a sentence.

• Last week, the organization I work for promoted two people in the sales department.
• I don’t want to go back to therapy. Last week, my therapist suggested that I step outside my comfort zone.
• Cheerleading tryouts were last week. Were you there at tryouts?
• We went to PF Chang’s last week. Why do you always insist on eating the same thing for dinner all the time?
• Last week, I submitted my college admissions applications and essays. My counselor told me, ‘good luck with your future endeavors.’
• Last week was the most important week of my life. I auditioned for a professional football team, and I really hope I get accepted!
• I hope all is well with you. I hadn’t seen you since last week when you had that terrible cold.
• Last week, I asked my girlfriend to marry me, but she said no because we’re not financially stable.

Final Thoughts on ‘Last Week’ and ‘Lastweek’

To recap, we learned that:

• The correct way to write this phrase is ‘last week.’ It means the week before this week.
• Avoid using the version without the space in between, as it’s incorrect and ungrammatical.

Therefore, you should only use 'last week' and avoid the other spelling of the word.

If you ever get stuck on usage, meaning, or anything else, you can always come back to review what you learned. We’ve also got a ton of content on other confusing words and phrases in the English language. Don’t be afraid to go check it out.