at the last inning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the last inning" is not correct in standard English; it should be "in the last inning." You can use it when referring to the final inning of a baseball game, typically to describe events or actions that occurred during that time.
Example: "The team made a remarkable comeback in the last inning, scoring three runs to win the game."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was praying at the last inning," Montero said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Walsh was also unseated from Voix Du Reve at the last in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last month when travelling like the winner.

The Guardian - Sport

He was staying on when he fell at the last in the Grand Annual.

The Guardian - Sport

Lippi fell at the last in four out of five European finals with Juventus.

The Guardian - Sport

Kauto, two years ago, unseated Sam Thomas at the last in the Betfair Chase and it was all doom and gloom.

The Guardian - Sport

At the last in a series of recovery centers, Ms. White woke up with the buzzing of a man's voice in her head.

The New York Times

To my surprise, the road was also open at the last in chain of reservoirs, where I would have expected to have to stop.

The New York Times

Powell finished fifth in the 100 at the last Olympics, in Athens in 2004.

The New York Times - Sports

At the last games in 2007 in Shanghai, there were 7,500 athletes competing from 165 countries.

Independent

At the last one, in Dresden, Germany, in 2008, teams from 146 nations competed.

The New York Times

Three attempted attacks were thwarted at the last minute in the past year, in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Thailand, he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the final inning of a baseball game, use the preposition "in" rather than "at" to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, say "The winning run was scored in the last inning."

Common error

Avoid using "at" before "the last inning". The correct preposition to use is "in". Using "at" can make your sentence sound awkward or grammatically incorrect to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though grammatically questionable, functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb by indicating the time or circumstance of an action. It aims to specify when something occurred, relating to the final portion of a baseball game or similar contest. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at the last inning" may appear in some sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and more commonly used phrase is "in the last inning". Ludwig AI emphasizes that "in the last inning" is the preferred choice. When writing, be sure to use "in" rather than "at" to maintain accuracy and clarity. Alternatives like "during the final inning" or "in the closing inning" can also be used. Remember to avoid the incorrect preposition to prevent potential errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the last inning

This is the grammatically correct and most common way to refer to the final inning of a baseball game.

during the final inning

This alternative emphasizes the time period of the final inning.

in the closing inning

This phrase highlights the inning's role as the conclusion of the game.

toward the end of the inning

This refers to the latter part of the last inning but not necessarily the end.

late in the inning

Similar to 'toward the end', this indicates a point near the end of the inning.

in the bottom of the ninth

Specifically refers to the second half (bottom) of the ninth inning in baseball, relevant if the home team is batting.

in the top of the ninth

Specifically refers to the first half (top) of the ninth inning, relevant if the away team is batting.

in the decisive inning

Highlights the inning where the game's outcome is determined.

at the end of the game

Broadly refers to the concluding moments of any game, not just baseball.

in the final moments

A general phrase for the end of a contest or event, emphasizing the timing.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase referring to the final part of a baseball game?

The correct phrase is "in the last inning". For example, "The team rallied "in the last inning" to secure the victory".

What is the difference between "at the last inning" and "in the last inning"?

"In the last inning" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to events that happen during the final inning of a baseball game. "At the last inning" is considered grammatically incorrect.

Are there other ways to say "in the last inning"?

Yes, you can also say "during the final inning" or "in the closing inning" depending on the specific context. All are valid alternatives to "in the last inning".

Is "at the last inning" ever acceptable to use?

While some instances of "at the last inning" may appear in writing, it's generally best to avoid it in formal contexts. Opt for "in the last inning" to ensure grammatical correctness.