student asking question

Would it sound awkward if I say "previous" instead of "last" in this context?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, it definitely would. "The previous Christmas" means the same thing as "last Christmas," but it is significantly more formal in tone. It doesn't match the mood and intentions of the song, so "last" is still more natural and appropriate for this song. Ex: On my previous business trip, we signed a contract worth $10 million. Ex: I ate too much last night, so I felt unwell today.

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