but at last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but at last" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happened after a long period of time or difficulty. For example, "She had trouble understanding the concept, but at last she finally figured it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But at last, it was time.

The New York Times - Magazine

But at last he's back?

The Guardian - Music

But at last a call comes.

The New Yorker

But at last, we were assimilated.

The New York Times

But at last we're at the hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

But at last they emerged from the courthouse.

The New York Times

But at last his campaign organization began to hum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But at last one change is on the way.

The Economist

But at last the picture has begun to change.

The Economist

But at last, central banks knew what to do.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But at last year's Wimbledon, he showed a new and improved backhand that moved Federer around the court.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but at last" to signal a positive resolution or outcome that follows a period of challenges, delays, or uncertainty. It provides a sense of closure or relief to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "but at last" in situations where the sequence of events is straightforward and lacks significant obstacles. It's more appropriate when there's a noticeable struggle or delay before the final outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but at last" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting a preceding situation or series of events with a final, often relieving or positive, outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to signal that something occurred after a period of time or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but at last" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the eventual resolution of a situation, especially after challenges or delays. As Ludwig AI notes, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is very common across various contexts, especially in news and media, offering a slightly more emphatic and literary tone than alternatives like "finally". When writing, reserve "but at last" for situations where a noticeable struggle precedes the positive outcome, and use it to signal closure and relief. The related phrases offer similar meanings with subtle variations in emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finally

Emphasizes the end result after a period of waiting or effort, often used more broadly.

at long last

Similar in meaning, but adds a stronger sense of relief or satisfaction at the eventual outcome.

eventually

Highlights the passage of time leading to an outcome, without necessarily implying difficulty.

in the end

Focuses on the final outcome or resolution after a process or series of events.

ultimately

Implies a definitive conclusion or result after a period of consideration or development.

after all this time

Stresses the duration of time that has passed before something happened.

after a while

Indicates that something happened following a certain period of time.

in due course

Suggests that something happened at the appropriate or expected time, though perhaps after a delay.

sooner or later

Implies that something will happen at some point in the future, without specifying when.

in the fullness of time

Suggests a patient acceptance of the time required for something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "but at last" in a sentence?

Use "but at last" to show that something happened after a long wait or difficulty. For example: "They faced many setbacks, "but at last", they succeeded".

What phrases are similar to "but at last"?

Similar phrases include "finally", "eventually", or "at long last", which also indicate something happening after a period of time or difficulty.

Is "but at last" formal or informal?

"But at last" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it might sound slightly more literary or emphatic than a simple "finally".

How does "but at last" differ from "at first"?

"But at last" indicates a concluding event after a delay or struggle, while "at first" introduces an initial state that is likely to change. They describe opposite ends of a temporal sequence.