as a final resort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a final resort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a last option or action taken after all other alternatives have been exhausted. Example: "We will only take legal action as a final resort if all attempts at negotiation fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

As a final resort, I tried my local branch bank, though I wasn't very hopeful.

The New York Times

Islam abhors divorce and sees it only as a final resort, Abdullahi pointed out.

The Guardian

An effort to dislodge the Moroccans by force would be considered only as a final resort.

The New York Times

When only 10% of my liver was functional I was put on the transplant list as a final resort.

The Guardian

Ernestine Fobbs, an agency spokeswoman, said that aside from immigrants who are separated from the general population for disciplinary reasons, detainees are isolated only "as a final resort, when other options are not available to address the specifics of the situation".

The New York Times

When worse comes to worse, and it very well might my friends, you are going to need one more shield as a final resort.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"But demolishing should be a final resort.

Independent

Use sarcasm gently and as a last resort.

WikiHow

A final group of DMARDs is referred to as a last resort for patients for whom the above drugs have failed (statement No 10).

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

As a last resort, local governments can challenge the final census count through a resolution process or in court.

The New York Times

But even if Athens and Ankara, or, as a last resort, Mr. Annan, must provide some of the final language, prospects for voter approval are still good.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a final resort" to clearly indicate that the described action should only be considered after all other possibilities have been exhausted. This adds weight and seriousness to the suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "as a final resort" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your text sound repetitive and overly dramatic. Consider varying your language by using alternatives such as "as a last option" or "when all else fails".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a final resort" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the circumstances under which an action should be taken. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in specifying that an action is a last option.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a final resort" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote that an action should only be contemplated when all other options have been exhausted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources. Predominantly featured in news and media, it carries a neutral tone that lends itself to both formal and informal settings. For variety, consider alternatives like "as a last option" or "only if absolutely necessary" to prevent overuse. In essence, using "as a final resort" should signal careful consideration and a last-ditch approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a final recourse

Substitutes 'resort' with 'recourse', emphasizing a source of help or action.

as a last option

Changes 'resort' to 'option', focusing on choice rather than recourse.

as a last measure

Replaces 'resort' with 'measure', implying a specific action taken.

only as a last step

Focuses on the sequential aspect, highlighting it as the concluding action.

when all else fails

Indicates a condition where all other methods have been exhausted.

as a concluding action

Emphasizes the role of the phrase as a conclusive measure.

as an ultimate solution

Highlights the finality and decisiveness of the action.

only if absolutely necessary

Stresses the conditionality and the degree of need for the action.

in the last extremity

Implies a situation of great urgency and limited options.

at the end of the line

Uses a metaphor to describe reaching the limit of available options.

FAQs

How can I use "as a final resort" in a sentence?

You can use "as a final resort" to introduce an action that should only be considered after all other options have been tried. For example, "We will take legal action "as a final recourse" if negotiations fail."

What is a similar phrase to "as a final resort"?

A similar phrase is "as a last resort". Both phrases indicate that something should only be done after all other options have been exhausted.

Is it correct to say "as a final recourse" instead of "as a final resort"?

Yes, "as a final recourse" is a valid alternative. Recourse refers to a source of help in a difficult situation, making it semantically similar to "as a final resort".

When is it appropriate to use "as a final resort" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "as a final resort" when you want to emphasize that a particular action is not the first choice and should only be considered when all other methods have failed. It adds a sense of seriousness and indicates that the situation is critical.