because of the last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "because of the last" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a previous point or item, but it requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "The decision was made because of the last point raised in the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Was it because of the last problem?

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think it's really because of the last couple of years and being conspicuously rich.

The New Yorker

They're going to beat themselves up because of the last couple performances.

The New York Times - Sports

He, too, singled out local government debt and inflation, both burgeoning in large part because of the last stimulus plan.

The New York Times

"I was too isolated in the Czech Republic – too famous because of the last movie," she explains.

The Guardian

Because of the last day of Passover, alternate-side street-cleaning regulations in New York City will be suspended today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

After the season, Oxford was relegated because of the last-place finish.

The New York Times - Sports

Because of the last-minute withdrawal of the French, the British had secured the sole domination of Egypt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Texas Motor Speedway sued CART yesterday, seeking millions of dollars that were lost because of the last-minute cancellation of a race on April 29.

The New York Times - Sports

On Tuesday the interceptor completely missed the incoming missile it was supposed to destroy, apparently because of the last-minute failure of two heat-sensing devices.

The New York Times

But less than 48 hours later, she and Salvador were back in jail; because of the last-minute change in Berenson's housing, the police had inspected the Miraflores apartment after the court papers had been filed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying what "the last" refers to. For example, use "because of the last chapter" or "because of the last game" to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "because of the last" without a clear referent. This can confuse readers. Instead, be explicit about what you are referring to (e.g., "because of the last section").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because of the last" functions as a causal connector, indicating a reason or cause related to something that occurred previously. It often sets up a relationship where a subsequent event or situation is a direct result of a prior one. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase lacks clarity and requires additional context to be meaningful.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because of the last" is a causal connector used to link a current situation to a past event. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not considered grammatically ideal and often requires additional context for clarity. The phrase appears across various sources, including news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki entries. It's recommended to specify what "the last" refers to, using phrases like "because of the last chapter" or "due to the last meeting" to enhance comprehension. Alternative phrases such as "due to the preceding" or "as a result of the previous" can also improve clarity. While understandable, this phrase is generally considered grammatically weak. In general, aiming for specificity will enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to the preceding

Replaces "because of" with "due to" and "last" with "preceding", maintaining the causal connection to something prior.

as a result of the previous

Substitutes "because of" with "as a result of" and "last" with "previous", emphasizing the consequence of a prior event.

owing to the recent

Changes "because of" to "owing to" and "last" to "recent", focusing on a more immediate past.

attributable to the preceding

Replaces "because of" with "attributable to" and "last" with "preceding", indicating a more formal assignment of cause.

caused by the previous

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of causation using "caused by" and replaces "last" with "previous".

stemming from the recent

Uses "stemming from" instead of "because of" and "recent" for "last", suggesting origination from a recent event.

on account of the previous

Replaces "because of" with "on account of" and "last" with "previous", providing a slightly more formal alternative.

by virtue of the preceding

Substitutes "because of" with "by virtue of" and "last" with "preceding", indicating causation based on a specific quality or action.

in light of the previous

Changes the phrase to indicate that something is happening considering a prior event using "in light of" and replaces "last" with "previous".

considering the prior

Simplifies the expression to "considering the prior", focusing on taking a previous event into account.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "because of the last" more specific?

To improve clarity, specify what "the last" refers to. For example, instead of "because of the last", use "because of the last chapter", "because of the last meeting", or "because of the last performance."

What are some alternatives to "because of the last" that are less ambiguous?

Consider using phrases like "due to the "previous"", "as a result of the "preceding"", or "owing to the "recent"" followed by the specific item or event you are referencing.

Is "because of the last" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "because of the last" is often considered grammatically weak and can lack clarity. It's better to use more precise language to avoid ambiguity.

In what contexts is "because of the last" most likely to be used?

"Because of the last" can appear in various contexts, including news reports, encyclopedias, and general writing, but it benefits from additional context to specify what 'the last' refers to. Always aim for clarity.