Come last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Come last" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is in the final position or order in a sequence or competition. Example: "In the race, I was determined not to come last, so I pushed myself to keep up with the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Come last, go first".

Los Angeles Times

The UK has not won since 1997 and has come last three times in the past 10 years.

BBC

My emails (which come last. Emails are so 2008).

TechCrunch

"In medicine, children come last".

The New Yorker

Jocelyn and I come last.

The New Yorker

But someone has to come last.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Politicians come last.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If they'd come last week it would have been terrible".

The Guardian - Film

"I didn't come last year and that was a mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

Then she tells them they should have come last week and seen it at its height.

The New Yorker

First reports of this plant, and another for making heavy water at Arak, had come last year, not from the Iranian government but from an exiled opposition group.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Come last" when describing the final outcome of a competition or ranking. For emphasis, consider rephrasing to highlight the act of finishing in last place.

Common error

Avoid using "Come last" when you mean someone arrived recently or is new to a situation. The phrase "Come lately" should be used instead in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "come last" functions primarily as a descriptive expression indicating the final position in a sequence, competition, or ranking. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it's used in contexts such as sports, elections, or general priorities. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Come last" is a phrasal verb used to describe finishing in the final position or being of the lowest priority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "finish last" or "place last" exist, "come last" remains a common and acceptable choice. Remember to avoid confusing it with "come lately".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Finish last

Direct synonym, emphasizing the action of completing in last place.

End up last

Indicates a result or outcome of being in the final position.

Place last

Formal alternative, often used in competitive contexts.

Be the last one

Focuses on being the final entity in a sequence or group.

Occupy the last position

Formal and descriptive, highlighting the specific position.

Be of least importance

Shifts focus to importance or priority rather than placement.

Take the lowest rank

More formal, emphasizing hierarchical placement.

Be at the bottom

General term for being in the lowest position, not always last.

Hold the last spot

Implies maintaining the last position over time.

Bring up the rear

Idiomatic, suggesting following at the end of a procession or group.

FAQs

How can I use "Come last" in a sentence?

You can use "Come last" to describe finishing in the final position in a competition, such as "I didn't want to come last in the race". It can also mean being of lowest priority, like "In their priorities, education seems to come last".

What does it mean to "Come last"?

"Come last" means to finish in the final position in a ranking, race, or competition. It can also mean to be the least important or of the lowest priority.

What are some alternatives to "Come last"?

You can use alternatives like "finish last", "place last", or "end up last" to express the same idea.

Is it better to say "Come last" or "Finished last"?

Both "Come last" and "Finished last" are grammatically correct, but "Finished last" might be clearer because it uses the past tense to definitively indicate a completed action. However, "Come last" is also widely understood and used.