1. natsuki

    natsuki Active Member

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    Last or previous?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by natsuki, Dec 10, 2010.

    Hi,
    I'm writing a story in third person past tense, and I'd like to know which way is better to write a sentence :

    She wore a pink frock, the same she had worn on a party last year.

    or

    She wore a pink frock, the same she had worn on a party the previous year

    Because I though that if I wrote on past tense, I couldn't use "last year", because it would be the last year from the time I'm telling the story, which could be 10 years later the events actually took place.
    The thing is, I stumbled upon several uses of variations of my first sentence, and now I'm confused.

    Which sentence is right?
    If I wasn't clear enough, just tell, and I'll try to elaborate on the next posts.

    Thanks
     
  2. art

    art Contributor Contributor

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    You are right. Previous is appropriate here.
     
  3. HorusEye

    HorusEye Contributor Contributor

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    Also, don't you wear a frock at a party, not on it?
     
  4. art

    art Contributor Contributor

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    At the weekend, the adventurous Englishman wears frocks.
    On the weekend, the American washes his car.

    Is the latter formulation extended to things other than weekends in the New World?
     
  5. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    should be 'to a party' not 'at' or 'on'...

    and yes, 'previous' would be better than 'last' in most cases, though 'last' can be ok, if the narrative is in first person and it works in context...
     
  6. natsuki

    natsuki Active Member

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    I asked one thing and discovered that I have to study prepositions ASAP lol

    Thank you for all the answers!
     
  7. Trilby

    Trilby Contributor Contributor

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    'Frock' sounds old fashioned -'dress' is more up to date.
     
  8. natsuki

    natsuki Active Member

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    I know, but I am writing historical fiction :)
    Thanks
     
  9. art

    art Contributor Contributor

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    at a party is fine
     
  10. Adriano

    Adriano Member

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  11. art

    art Contributor Contributor

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    Third person, past tense, the year before is fine. It doesn't need to be adapted.
     
  12. ElvenSorceress

    ElvenSorceress New Member

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    use previous not last
     

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