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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

"I was here the July before last." (*)

Hi,

(1) Is (*) correct grammar?
Assuming it is ....
(2) Suppose somebody said (*) at some moment in August, 2011. Then "the July before last" would be July, 2010?
(3) If (*) is said at some moment in June, 2011. Then "the July before last" would mean July, 2009?

Mus-te
  

Top answer

1. Yes, but it is awkward and confusing. 2.

— JohnParis

  • 1.
  • Yes, but it is awkward and confusing.
  • 2.
  • Yes, I guess so.
  • 3.
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2 Answers
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1. Yes, but it is awkward and confusing.
2. Yes, I guess so.
3. same as above.
I always tell people to try and avoid this type of use in both spoken and written English because it is so very confusing. Just say the date: July 2009. It will save you a lot of time and energy in explaining what you mean because when you use the "before last" construction, most people will continue to seek
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Thank you!
Unfortunately, there can be found plenty of bi-lingual sites (meaning Rus+Eng resources) with such "suspect" English.
I can see no alternative to forwarding such suspect samples to English teachers/native speakers for final "refining"...

Thanks again! :-)
Mus-te
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