a week before last Friday? two weeks before this coming Friday?

Hi,

This is an excellent question. In my experience, many learners have a great deal of trouble with all these kinds of expressions.

Clive

When the day is more than one week old, referring to it as a day of the week (Friday, Thursday ...) may not be a good idea. Just call them by its date to avoid potential confusion.

Sep 1 :Today

Aug 31 : Yesterday

8/30 : the day before yesterday

8/29 : last Monday

8/28 : last Sunday

8/27 : last Sat

8/26 : last Fri

8/25 : last

Hi,

Yes, that's true, but the problem is that native speakers very often don't just refer to dates in that way, so learners who speak with them can easily become confused.

Best wishes, Clive

I would say 'a week ago last Friday'.

MrP

I have to note, MrP, that I would personally not understand that to mean [roughly here] two weeks ago. Is that an AmE/BrE thing?

It sounds like it!

You would say 'the Friday before last' as well, in BrE.

MrP

It seems we've got two possible answers.

1. the Friday before last. (do you mean the Friday before last Friday?)

2. a week ago last Friday. (Is it OK to say, 'a week before last Friday'?) Why not if the answer is 'No'?

________

Let me go a little further.

Say today were August 31 Wednesday. How do you describe the date August 4?

Say today were August 31 Wednesday. How do describe the date August 4?

I'd probably say, 'The first Thursday in August.'

1. the Friday before last. (do you mean the Friday before last Friday?)

Yes.

2. a week ago last Friday. (Is it OK to say, 'a week before last Frida

Hi Dave,

rd. your #1 answer.

In fact, I didn't know the exact date when I had the conversation with someone. The only thing I could remember was it was on Thrisday and it was three weeks ago.

I'm giving you the date because it's easier for our discussions. I will be glad if you can give me some hints.

Thanks for the reply.