Learn English – The last year with present perfect

present-perfect

Glasgow based duo Happy Meals have spent the last year since the release of their debut Apéro touring the globe, experimenting with new sounds and forms, and are now ready to introduce Fruit Juice.

The use of present perfect with the last year seems strange, last year is past it is finished and have spent the action begins in the past and continues up to now.
Maybe the present perfect is used because their new release has just come out
or will come out soon.
Can somebody explain me why?

Best Answer

The phrase "last year" and "the last year" do not have the same meaning.

Last year refers to the year whose number is one previous (2016->2015).

The last year refers to the twelve-month period stretching backwards from the current month.

So the last year touches upon (and includes) the present. That's why the present perfect is used there.

When did that song air?
--It aired last hour.

Have I missed much of the movie?
--Yes, it's been on for the last half-hour.

When did you visit her?
--I drove up to Boston to see her last week.

How long have you been coming to this coffee shop?
--I've been having coffee here daily for the last week.

When was the earthquake?
-- It was early last year.

What do these spikes on the chart show?
--They show that there have been several after-shocks in the last year.

Related Topic