around a last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a last" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when this phrase could be used due to its ambiguity and lack of context. Example: "We gathered around a last minute decision, but it didn't go as planned."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Tom Six's horror franchise – basically feeding off the sociopathic urges of teenage boys who're into beheading videos and August Underground – returns for one final go around, a last beat of the drum until we, all of us, free our gobs from the anus of this troubling series.

Vice

By September 8 the Wehrmacht's Army Group North had sprinted around a last line of defenders and closed the city then known as Leningrad in a death grip.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Walking toward the gate, he turned around with a last word for Ahmed.

The New Yorker

Due to the expansion of the tournament from the 16 nations who participated in 2012 to the 24 involved this time around a last-16 knock-out phase has been added.

Independent

Even as major Republican donors coalesced Wednesday around a last-ditch effort to halt Donald Trump's march toward the GOP presidential nomination, resignation was setting in among some onetime Trump critics.

The Washington Post

Although Pines was favored at the beginning of the race, Reinhardt built a winning strategy around a last-minute newspaper ad charging him with direct involvement in the shredding of Los Angeles Police Department intelligence files.

Los Angeles Times

Local officials are coalescing around a last-ditch legal strategy that could lead to dozens of lawsuits filed by cities across the state in an effort to block the liquidation of redevelopment agencies before the end of February.

Los Angeles Times

Penny went ahead while I paused for a moment, turning around to take a last look at our lovely resting spot.

The New York Times

On the day I was let out, I did turn around to take a last look at that red-brick wall.

The New York Times

Still, most residents take the train around Long Island only as a last resort.

The New York Times

This halt to parliamentary business lasts around a month until 12 October.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the ambiguous phrase "around a last" with more precise expressions like "at the last moment" or "near the end" to ensure your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "around a last" to describe proximity in time. It's grammatically unconventional and can confuse readers. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives such as "close to the end" or "nearing the deadline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a last" does not have a defined grammatical function in standard English. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and lacks clear meaning. Examples of similar phrases include instances where "around" indicates proximity or encirclement, while "last" denotes finality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around a last" is grammatically questionable and lacks a clear, established meaning in English. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect, suggesting that it doesn't follow standard grammatical rules. While some instances appear in news and wiki contexts, it's best to avoid this phrase and opt for more precise and commonly understood alternatives like "at the last moment" or "near the end" to ensure clarity and avoid confusion. It is always a good idea to use an English writing platform to double check your grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at last

Emphasizes the eventual or concluding nature of an event or situation.

around the end

Indicates a point near the termination or conclusion of something.

near the finish

Similar to "around the end", focusing on nearing the completion of a task or event.

in the last instance

Highlights the ultimate or concluding occurrence of something.

in the final analysis

Focuses on the concluding assessment or consideration of a matter.

close to the deadline

Specific to time-sensitive contexts, nearing the end of an allotted period.

at the eleventh hour

Refers to something happening at the very last possible moment.

in the home stretch

Implies the final phase of a process or endeavor.

on the verge of completion

Suggests nearing the state of being finished or finalized.

approaching the limit

Indicates nearing a boundary or maximum allowable extent.

FAQs

What does "around a last" mean?

The phrase "around a last" is grammatically unconventional and may not be immediately clear to readers. It is better to use alternatives such as "at the last moment" or "near the end" to avoid confusion.

How can I use a more grammatically correct phrase instead of "around a last"?

Instead of "around a last", consider using phrases like "at last", "near the end", or "in the final hour" depending on the context.

Is "around a last" grammatically correct?

No, "around a last" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use established phrases like "at the last minute" or "close to the end".

What's the difference between "around a last" and "at last"?

"Around a last" is not a standard English phrase and may cause confusion. "At last", on the other hand, means finally or after a long delay.