at the final moment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the final moment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the last possible time or opportunity before an event occurs or a decision is made. Example: "She made her decision at the final moment, just before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

At the final moment, he did get one breath of air, and it kept him alive.

The New York Times - Magazine

The shot on goal rose too high only at the final moment.

The Guardian - Sport

That last Sunday in August was grandparents' day at church and Noah, at the final moment, decided to go with them.

The New Yorker

As it descended, Nieuwenhuis overran the ball, reaching behind him at the final moment as the ball fell; two runners scored and the game was suddenly tied.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a shame to get to the end of the season and then miss out on the title at the final moment," Alonso said.

The Guardian - Sport

Carmine DeSapio, the leader of Tammany Hall, was the éminence grise who at the final moment gave the quiet nod to her position.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

As I prepare to be in a city like Delhi, which is so dense with people, and to be in a maternity ward where all these women around me are delivering children, I realized that at the final moments, we all come down to the same thing.

The New York Times

There are many experimental examples of pocket rhythms in which knee extensor becomes active just before hip extensor, at the final moments of hip flexor activity, and indeed a mean pocket rhythm computed from experimentation has this property [30].

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

The physical features preserved in the deposits directly represent the physics of the sediment movement that existed at the final moments of the deposition, so it is not possible to directly interpret the sediment transport mode (see Shanmugam (2012) for further discussion).

Earth, Planets and Space

However, even though this whole rehabilitation process has been directed by Mettee, she admits she might not be able to be there at the final moments.

Huffington Post

They would have taken hope from a battling defeat to Switzerland after spending the majority of it without Lorik Cana, the captain sent off for two yellows, but to hold the hosts at bay until the final moments with a doughty defensive display only to have all the work undone by two late goals must have been heartbreaking.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the final moment" to create a sense of tension or urgency in your writing, highlighting the close proximity to a deadline or critical point.

Common error

Avoid using "at the final moment" in situations where a more proactive or planned approach would be expected. Its use implies a degree of improvisation or potential risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the final moment" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the final moment" is a useful and grammatically sound way to describe events occurring just before a deadline or critical point. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, and the provided examples demonstrate its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While its register is generally neutral, writers should consider the specific context and audience when selecting the most appropriate phrasing. Remember to avoid overuse and ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone and message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the last minute

Replaces 'final' with 'last', emphasizing the immediacy and nearness to the deadline.

in the nick of time

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey a similar sense of narrowly avoiding a negative outcome.

at the eleventh hour

Employs a biblical reference to indicate something occurring very late in the process.

just before the deadline

Provides a more literal and less figurative alternative, focusing on the proximity to a deadline.

at the very last second

Highlights the extremely short timeframe involved.

when it mattered most

Shifts the focus to the importance of the timing, rather than just the timing itself.

at crunch time

Uses an informal term to describe the critical period when important decisions or actions must be taken.

in the end

Indicates a resolution or outcome reached after a period of time or effort.

ultimately

Highlights the final result or consequence after a series of events or considerations.

as a last resort

Emphasizes that the action was taken only when all other options had been exhausted.

FAQs

What does "at the final moment" mean?

The phrase "at the final moment" means something happens or is decided just before it's too late or immediately before a deadline.

What can I say instead of "at the final moment"?

You can use alternatives like "at the last minute", "in the nick of time", or "at the eleventh hour" depending on the context.

Is "at the final moment" formal or informal?

The phrase "at the final moment" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How to use "at the final moment" in a sentence?

You can use "at the final moment" to describe when a decision is made or an action is taken right before a deadline or critical event. For example, "She made her decision at the final moment."