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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a lastly

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lastly" is not correct and not usable in written English.
The word "lastly" is an adverb and does not require an article like "a" before it. Example: "Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their support."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For Yazid, Saeed reserves the most unforgiving language: the Umayyad caliph is "a big-time sinner," "an alcoholic," and lastly, "a womanizer".

News & Media

The Guardian

Lastly, and this one she stressed with the weariness particular to a service employee required to enforce such a rule: lastly, there will be no cooking in the rooms.

Make a Plan: Lastly, I highly encourage you to try out the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plann.

Lastly, Occupy: a "last resort" tactic to achieve results.

News & Media

The New York Times

Lastly, a park for a garden, with a pool as well.

Lastly: A Fumble Is A Win.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Lastly, a urinalysis is a chemical examination of your dog's urine.

And lastly a dead man in a field, though that could have happened anywhere.

Lastly, a refugee camp is a space of permanent temporality.

Lastly, a formative tropical cyclone needs a pre-existing system of disturbed weather.

Lastly, a Leica is, before anything else, a 35-mm.

News & Media

The New Yorker
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a lastly". The correct form is simply "lastly" when introducing the final point in a series or argument. Always double-check your grammar to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is to precede adverbs like "lastly" with an article (a/an/the). Remember that adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and do not typically require articles.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lastly" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to function as an adverbial phrase introducing a final point. However, the adverb "lastly" does not require an article. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the correct form is simply "lastly."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lastly" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, "lastly" is an adverb and should not be preceded by the article "a". Correct alternatives include using "finally", "in conclusion", or simply "lastly". Avoiding this error will enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing, especially in formal contexts.

FAQs

Is "a lastly" grammatically correct?

No, "a lastly" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is to use "lastly" without an article, as it functions as an adverb.

What can I use instead of "a lastly"?

You can use alternatives like "finally", "in conclusion", or simply "lastly", which is the correct form.

Why is it incorrect to say "a lastly"?

It's incorrect because "lastly" is an adverb, and adverbs don't take articles. Articles are used with nouns, not adverbs.

How do I properly use "lastly" in a sentence?

Begin your concluding point with "Lastly,", followed by a comma and then your statement. For example, "Lastly, remember to review your work before submitting it."

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: