at latest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at latest' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'at latest' to mean that something should happen at the very latest by a specified deadline. For example: "You must complete the project by Friday at the latest."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farmers get peek at latest agricultural research.

Cornell University

At latest postoperative follow-up, follow-up was 89%.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

At latest count, there were 6,000 registered joint ventures.

Harvard Business Review

At latest count 13.3% of the Australian population smoke daily.

The Guardian - Opinion

A comparison group of 44 patients with DILV was matched by age at latest follow-up.

The American Journal of Cardiology

At latest notice, there will not be beach volleyball at these Millrose Games.

The New York Times - Sports

At latest count, more than 70 companies were on that list.

The New York Times

There was a significant increase in mean postoperative weight percentiles at latest follow-up (p = 0.004).

Harvard University

The mean preoperative Knee Society Knee Score was 48 points compared with 96 points at latest follow-up.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

At latest report, the search area had reached 289,080 square nautical miles.

The New York Times

Experimentation was terminated at latest 96 h post fertilization (hpf).

Environmental Sciences Europe

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting deadlines, use "at latest" to provide a clear and non-negotiable final point for task completion. This helps manage expectations and ensures timely results.

Common error

Avoid using "at latest" when a range or flexibility is intended. The phrase implies a firm boundary, so ensure it aligns with your actual requirements. If there's wiggle room, opt for less restrictive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at latest" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify a deadline or the upper limit of a permissible timeframe. It indicates the last possible moment for something to occur, as confirmed by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "at latest" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for setting deadlines or upper limits. According to Ludwig, it is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its frequent appearance in scientific, news, and business sources underscores its wide applicability. While interchangeable with alternatives like "no later than" and "by the deadline", it's crucial to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended level of flexibility. Overall, mastering the use of "at latest" enhances clarity and effectiveness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the latest

Adding "the" for emphasis and formality.

no later than

Using different wording to express the same time constraint.

by the deadline

Specifying "deadline" for a more concrete time constraint.

at the very latest

Adding "very" to emphasize the finality of the deadline.

by the due date

Replacing "deadline" with the synonym "due date".

not exceeding

Shifting the focus to an upper limit rather than a deadline.

at the outside

Using a less common idiom to express an upper boundary.

as a cutoff

Treating the deadline as a point that cannot be exceeded.

maximally

Using a more formal term to indicate the upper limit of something.

by the end

Indicates a final limit without specifying a specific value.

FAQs

How to use "at latest" in a sentence?

Use "at latest" to indicate the final deadline or upper limit for something. For example, "The report must be submitted by Friday at latest".

What can I say instead of "at latest"?

You can use alternatives like "no later than", "by the deadline", or "at the very latest" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at latest" or "at the latest"?

Both "at latest" and "at the latest" are correct, but "at the latest" is generally considered more formal and emphasizes the deadline slightly more.

What's the difference between "at latest" and "at earliest"?

"At latest" indicates the final possible time for something, while "at earliest" specifies the first possible time. They are antonyms used to define a time range.