as a last resort

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a last resort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have tried every other option and have no other choice but to use the last resort. For example, "I had tried every other way to solve the problem, but as a last resort I had to ask for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Defaults are seen as a last resort.

The Economist

Total replacement should only be considered as a last resort.

Engineering Structures

These are seen as a last resort.

The Guardian

They passed only as a last resort.

The New York Times - Magazine

Use divestment only as a last resort.

Harvard Business Review

"But only as a last resort.

The Guardian

Third, as a last resort, from groundwater in the aquifers.

Princeton University

In some institutions, extraction is viewed as a last resort.

University of California, Berkeley

I only support conceal and carry as a last resort.

The New York Times

A free society should regard it as a last resort.

The Economist

"Detention is used as a last resort.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a last resort" to clearly indicate that an action is only taken after all other options have been considered and exhausted. This helps to manage expectations and justify the choice of action.

Common error

Avoid using "as a last resort" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your arguments seem repetitive or suggest a lack of proactive planning. Consider alternative phrases or approaches to convey the same meaning without redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a last resort" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the circumstances under which an action is taken. It clarifies that the action is a final option employed after exhausting all other possibilities, a claim supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a last resort" serves as an adverbial phrase to indicate that an action is taken only after all other options have been exhausted. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, overusing this phrase can lead to redundancy. Alternatives such as "as a final option" or "only when all else fails" can provide variety. It is particularly useful in formal writing to justify decisions and manage expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a final option

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the choice; slight shift in focus from sequence to finality.

as a last measure

Highlights the action as a definitive step taken when other attempts have failed.

only when all else fails

Expresses the conditionality of using the option, indicating it's reserved for situations where nothing else works.

when there's no other choice

Focuses on the lack of alternatives, emphasizing the necessity of the action.

as a desperate measure

Highlights the urgency and potential risk associated with the action.

in the final analysis

Implies a reflective decision made after considering all factors.

at the end of the line

Suggests a situation where options have run out, leading to the ultimate choice.

as a fallback

Highlights a backup plan used when primary strategies are ineffective.

as an ultimate solution

Indicates a conclusive action aimed at permanently resolving an issue.

when push comes to shove

Expresses a situation when a firm action is required due to mounting pressure.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a last resort" to indicate that something is done only after all other options have been exhausted. For example, "We tried everything to fix the issue, but "as a last resort", we had to replace the entire system."

What are some alternatives to saying "as a last resort"?

You can use alternatives like "as a final option", "only when all else fails", or "as a desperate measure" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to use something "as a last resort"?

Not necessarily. While it often implies that previous attempts have failed, using something "as a last resort" can also indicate prudence and careful consideration of alternatives before taking a more drastic action. It suggests that the decision was not taken lightly.

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

It is appropriate to use "as a last resort" in formal writing when you need to clearly convey that a particular action was taken only after exhausting all other reasonable options. This is especially useful in reports, proposals, or legal documents where justifying decisions is important.