Last time they were poor, but now they are rich.

[Tan Elaine]

Last time they were poor, but now they are rich.

Where I live, 'last time' means 'formerly'. Does 'Last time' in the sentence mean 'formerly'?

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

Not in British English.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The only way i could see this working is if "last time" referred to a specific encounter.

The last time I saw them they were poor, but now they are rich.

 

[emsr2d2]

There is a way of using it without the article, but it would still refer to a specific event in the past.

I arrived in Italy this morning. I have been to Italy once before. Last time I was poor, this time I am very rich.

 

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, Emsr.

Can I say "Last time people lived in wooden houses, but nowadays they live in houses made of concrete'? By "Last time" I mean 'formerly'.

 

[5jj]

No. As others have suggested, 'last time' does not mean 'formerly'. Both Mike and ems told you that 'last time' refers to a specific event/encounter.

 

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, 5jj.

Emsr said: Last time I was poor, this time I am very rich.

"Last time" in the sentence seems to mean formerly I was poor, but now I am very rich, doesn't it? If not, how should the sentence be interpreted?​

 

[bhaisahab]

Thanks, 5jj.

Emsr said: Last time I was poor, this time I am very rich.

"Last time" in the sentence seems to mean formerly I was poor, but now I am very rich, doesn't it? If not, how should the sentence be interpreted?​

"I have been to Italy once before. Last time I was poor, this time I am very rich."
This is the context in which emsr2d2 used "last time".

 

[5jj]

... how should the sentence be interpreted?

As ems explained.

 

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, bhaisahab.

Last time I was poor, this time I am very rich.

Does it mean that 'last time' has to be followed by 'this time', so that it 'last time' does not give the impression of 'formerly'? I'm a bit confused and sorry about that.

 

[5jj]

Does it mean that 'last time' has to be followed by 'this time', so that it 'last time' does not give the impression of 'formerly'?

No it doesn't, because no native speaker thinks that 'last time' gives the impression of 'formerly'.

 

[emsr2d2]

It doesn't have to be followed by "this time", no. The main thing you need to remember is simply that "Last time" does not mean "formerly" or "previously" in any context. It always refers to a specific time event or encounter in the past.

Last time I went to the supermarket, I bought apples = I bought apples on my most recent visit to the supermarket.