before the last

USAGE SUMMARY

"before the last" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a series of items or points in order to refer to the one right before the last one in the series. For example, "I visited four cities on my trip. I liked Tokyo and Beijing the best, but Kyoto was my favorite before the last one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However New Labour's comic honeymoon ended before the last millennium.

The Guardian

#: The presence of distant metastasis on or before the last follow-up (April 30 , 2011.

BMC Cancer

"Germany is doing better today than before the last national election," he said.

The New York Times

The "Last Wednesday Eve Festival" is celebrated on the evening before the last wednesday of the Persian calender year.

Injury

6 before the last pass misfired.

The New York Times - Sports

Written before the last over, Robin.

The Guardian - Sport

Before the last game, the Canadians had a team meeting.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, Chelsea scored again, just before the last whistle.

The New York Times - Sports

"Before the last surgery I made no secret.

Independent

Looking uncertain, Korme said, "Maybe before the last war".

The New Yorker

A lot of horse players leave before the last race.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before the last", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'last' item or event is in the sequence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "before the last" if the sequence isn't well-defined or immediately clear to the reader. This can lead to confusion about which item or event you're actually referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the last" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a temporal relationship. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting the point immediately preceding the final element in a sequence or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the last" is a prepositional phrase used to denote the item or event immediately preceding the final one in a sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While commonly used, ensure the context provides sufficient clarity to avoid any potential ambiguity regarding what 'the last' refers to. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communications. Related phrases like "previous to the last" can be considered for nuanced expression. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, solidifying its versatility and prevalence in modern communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous to the last

Emphasizes the immediately preceding nature.

before the concluding event

Directly states being before a final event or happening.

just before the finale

Specifically refers to the period immediately before a concluding event.

prior to the end

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being before something concludes.

ahead of the ending

Describes the state of being before something concludes.

preceding the ultimate

Emphasizes the position before something considered final or greatest.

prior to the final occurrence

Highlights being before something happens for the last time.

antecedent to the terminal

Highlights a preceding event before a final one, more formal.

leading up to the end

Describes the process or events that precede a conclusion.

in anticipation of the close

Focuses on expecting the end, acting before it happens.

FAQs

How can I use "before the last" in a sentence?

Use "before the last" to refer to something that occurs immediately preceding the final item in a sequence. For example, "He scored a goal "before the last" minute of the game".

What's a simpler way to say "before the last"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "previous to the last" or "just before the end". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific situation.

Is it ever incorrect to use "before the last"?

While grammatically correct, "before the last" can be confusing if the context doesn't clearly establish what 'the last' refers to. Ensure clarity to avoid misinterpretation.

What is the difference between "before the last" and "at the end"?

"Before the last" indicates something happening prior to the final event, while "at the end" refers to something occurring during the final part or conclusion itself. They describe different points in time relative to the conclusion.