at the last step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the last step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final stage or action in a process or sequence of events. Example: "We encountered an unexpected error at the last step of the installation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is thus possible that oxygen consumption is limited at the periphery, at the last step of aerobic metabolism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manufacturers accommodate this by designing products that are customized at the last step in the assembly or distribution process.

Harvard Business Review

At the last step, the best design in global sense is determined by considering the weighted sum of the deviated object functions and also graphical presentations.

Composite Structures

The number of quantization levels of each quantizer is tuned on-line according to whether the associated communication channel is active or not at the last step.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

I had just arrived at the last step when, as in a farce, Larry and Connie emerged simultaneously from their dressing rooms.

The Guardian - Books

In the proposed strategy, error surfaces are designed using unmeasurable states instead of measurable states and virtual controllers are regarded as intermediate signals for designing a local control law at the last step.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

For a parallel or series system, the derivative of the system failure probability with respect to the reliability index is analytically derived at the last step of the sequential compounding.

Structural Safety

At the last step of the proposed method, an optimal threshold for discriminating main vessels of the retina from other parts of the tissue is achieved by employing fuzzy entropy.

Applied Soft Computing

In the backstepping design, all unknown functions at intermediate steps are passed down such that only a single neural network is needed to approximate a lumped uncertainty at the last step.

Neurocomputing

Carbobenzyloxy was proved to be unsuitable for the protection of the aromatic amino group of sulfadiazine since the pyrimidine ring was also hydrogenated at the last step of the first route under the deprotection condition.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

To diversify the structures at the last step of the synthesis, two key intermediates 4 and 6 possessing terminal alkynes at the C5- and C5′-positions were designed and synthesized using two distinct strategies.

Tetrahedron

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the last step", ensure the context clearly defines the process or sequence being referenced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the last step" when referring to general conclusions or outcomes that aren't part of a defined procedure. Instead, use alternatives like "in the end" or "ultimately" for broader statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the last step" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the final action or stage in a process. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used to specify when something occurs within a sequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the last step" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the final action or stage in a process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and technical writing. While generally neutral, its precision lends it a professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the process to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "in the final stage" or "upon completion" can offer slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the final stage

This phrase is very similar, substituting "last" with "final" for near-identical meaning.

in the final stage

This alternative focuses on the concluding phase rather than a specific action.

in the concluding phase

This alternative emphasizes the termination aspect using 'concluding'.

upon completion

This phrase condenses the idea into a point of finishing something.

as a final measure

This suggests the phrase is a final action taken to reach a goal.

at the tail end

This idiom offers a more casual way to express the concluding part of a sequence.

in the end

This is a broader phrase referring to the ultimate result or outcome, not necessarily a specific action.

ultimately

This adverb captures the sense of finality but doesn't directly refer to a step or stage.

as the last resort

It specifies the final option when all others have failed.

on the verge of completion

This phrase focuses on the imminence of finishing, rather than the final action itself.

FAQs

How can I use "at the last step" in a sentence?

Use "at the last step" to describe the final action or stage in a defined process. For example, "At the last step of the recipe, add the finishing sauce".

What's a good alternative to "at the last step"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the final stage", "at the final stage", or "upon completion" depending on the specific context.

Is there a more formal way to say "at the last step"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "in the concluding phase" or restructuring the sentence to avoid the phrase altogether. The best option depends on the overall style and audience.

When should I avoid using "at the last step"?

Avoid using "at the last step" when the process isn't clearly defined or when referring to general outcomes rather than specific actions. In such cases, phrases like "ultimately" or "in the end" might be more appropriate.