difference among last/this/next March

[sws1234]

Hi,friends!

I am confused about what is the 'time' I am referring to when I use last/this/next before a 'time',say, March.

If this is correct: last March = March of last year.And does this also apply to this and next?

Another specific example: suppose it were April 2009 now,if talking last March equals talking about this March(March of 2009)?Or on this situation last March only means March of 2008?

Also,suppose it were January 2009 now,if talking next March equals talking about this March(March of 2009)?Or on this situation next March only means March of 2010?

Could someone give me some help?
Many thanks.

sws1234

[Soup]

This = future
Next = future
Last = past

-----------------------------------------------

This March = the next March coming up

Ex: It's February 2009. "This (coming) March, 2009, we'll need to ... ."

Ex: It's April 2009. "This (coming) March, 2010, we'll need to ... ."

--------------------------------------------

Last March = the March in the past

Ex: It's March 2009. "Last March (meaning 2008), what did we do?"

Ex: It's April 2009. "Last March (meaning 2008 or 2009), what did we do?" To clarify which year, use "Last month, what did we do?"

Ex: It's May 2009. "Last March (meaning 2009), what did we do?"


Hope that helps.

[sws1234]

This = future
Next = future
Last = past

Hi,Soup
According to your explanation if I can understand this:this March =next March.
Thanks for your help.

[Soup]

Hi,Soup
According to your explanation if I can understand this:this March =next March.
Thanks for your help.

Yes! This (coming) March is indeed next March.

[sws1234]

Yes! This (coming) March is indeed next March.

I got it.
Thank you,indeed,Soup.

[thod00]

Last and next are what you would expect.

'This' can mean either and will be indicated by tense.

"I was there this March"
"I will be going there this March"

The distance from March is the big factor. In April, 'this March' is likely to refer to the past, in February its likely to refer to the future.

[sws1234]

Last and next are what you would expect.

'This' can mean either and will be indicated by tense.

"I was there this March"
"I will be going there this March"

The distance from March is the big factor. In April, 'this March' is likely to refer to the past, in February its likely to refer to the future.

Hi thod00
Have looked at your reply I looked 'This' up at Dictionary.com (Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009. )

I think the definition of 'This' below used as an adjective applies to my case:

(used to indicate the nearer in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc.; opposed to that).

In my mind,the 'nearer' in the definition means either the past or the future, so it is probable that you are right!

Thank you very much.

PS:Next time I will ask the dictionary for help first.(At first I don't think dictionary can help for this question)