as a last instance

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a last instance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a course of action that one can take when other attempts have failed, or when other options have been exhausted. For example, "I've asked my colleagues for help but they were unable to provide a solution, so as a last instance I'll contact the IT department."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most importantly, it is not, as is so commonly misunderstood, about making generalisations; as if, in the last instance, an Islamophobe can simply free themselves of the charge of defaming a Muslim by simply disclaiming they are not talking about all Muslims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unsatisfied by such vague resolutions as 'determination in the last instance', or the idea of 'dialectical' connections, Cohen self-consciously attempts to apply the standards of clarity and rigour of analytic philosophy to provide a reconstructed version of historical materialism.

SEP

"Populism, which is in the last instance always an illiberal style, may come tricked out as a folkish emancipation," he once wrote in an essay about Mencken.

Forbes

A simple realignment algorithm was used to adjust gaps in homopolymers and simple repeats such that the last instance of the repeat was annotated as deleted or inserted.

Nature

In other words, they can only be understood as critical tendencies that stem from a history of discursive effects whose primary causes, in the last instance, will always defy satisfactory disentanglement.

Johns Hopkins University

This paper focuses on this last instance.

Computers & Fluids

The movement of species beyond their current range has also been suggested as an option for species at immediate risk of extinction (Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2008) and has been undertaken as a last resort in some instances (Jamieson et al. 2006; Grueber and Jamieson 2008; Miskelly et al. 2009).

Evolutionary Applications

Used that way — for instance, as a last chance to avert kidney failure — insurers are still paying for the drug at least 85 percent of the time, he says.

The New York Times

That was the last instance of a player-manager, a position once fairly common.

The New York Times - Sports

Lear, as Uglow's book reminds us, was a visual artist in the first and last instance, with the rhymes and jokes the smaller, if longer-lived, portion.

The New Yorker

Xabi Alonso, for instance, describes tackling as a "last resort" while Javier Mascherano, who played under Guardiola at Barcelona, once said making a tackle meant he had failed as a defender.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "as a last resort" or "as a final option" for clarity and broader understanding.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "as a last instance" can sound stilted. Vary your language by using synonyms like "as a final resort" or restructuring the sentence to avoid overuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a last instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or condition under which an action is taken. It specifies that the action is performed only after all other options have been tried.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a last instance" is grammatically correct but infrequently used. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the more common alternative is "as a last resort". Its formal tone suggests suitability for professional contexts, though its rarity means it may sound stilted. Therefore, consider using more common synonyms for better clarity and broader acceptance. This expression functions as an adverbial phrase, it serves to emphasize that the relevant action will only be taken as a final option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a final resort

Indicates a final option when all others have failed, similar to the original phrase but uses 'resort' instead of 'instance'.

as a last measure

Emphasizes the action taken is a final step, comparable to "as a last instance" but focuses on the action itself.

as a last option

Highlights the lack of alternative choices remaining, similar in meaning but with a focus on choice.

as an ultimate solution

Suggests a final, decisive action to resolve a problem, slightly stronger in tone.

as a final attempt

Focuses on the act of trying one last time, rather than the situation itself.

as a last step

Describes the action as the concluding part of a series of actions, implying a sequence.

at the last moment

Refers to the timing of an action, implying it happens just before it's too late.

in the last extremity

Indicates a situation of dire need where the action is a final, desperate measure.

when all else fails

Expresses a condition where other methods have been unsuccessful, leading to the final action.

as a desperate move

Highlights the urgency and risk associated with the final action, implying a sense of desperation.

FAQs

What does "as a last instance" mean?

It means as a final option or course of action when all other possibilities have been exhausted. It's similar to saying "as a last resort".

Is "as a last instance" interchangeable with "as a last resort"?

While similar in meaning, "as a last resort" is more common and widely understood. "As a last instance" might sound more formal or less idiomatic.

How can I use "as a last instance" in a sentence?

Example: "I tried all the troubleshooting steps, and "as a last instance", I contacted technical support."

Are there any negative connotations to using "as a last instance"?

Not inherently, but because it's less common, it might come across as overly formal or slightly unnatural in everyday conversation. Using "as a last resort" is usually safer for broader acceptance.