Expression: "the other day"

[Jan]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #38 "Save the Day", question 8

It wasn't long ago when I last saw her — it was only the ......... day.

(a) recent
(b) last
(c) final
(d) other

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #38 "Save the Day", answer 8

It wasn't long ago when I last saw her — it was only the other day.

Correct answer: (d) other

Your answer was: incorrect
It wasn't long ago when I last saw her — it was only the last day.
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Hi
the other day as a few days ago surly
important to memorize thanks for good exemple, but
the last day as a previous day does make here sense as well,
or doesn't?
regards
Jan

[Alan]

Hi,

The expression the other day means recently/not long ago. If you said the last day, it would make no sense because it wouldn't be clear which day you are referring to. You would have to say on the last day of the month/of the week or whatever.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Colour Idioms

[Thunu]

Hello Alan
Can you explain why we dont use "recent" in this sentence?
Thank you
Thu
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Reach an agreement as ploughing, don't let argument happen at crops.

[Alan]

Hi,

I used 'recently' because we need the adverb form in that sentence and not the adjective 'recent'. Look at these two sentences:

That is the most recent (adjective) news I have heard about what has happened.

I heard recently (adverb) what has happened.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Cool Expressions