but not last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not last" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not the final item in a sequence or list, often to emphasize that there are more items to follow. Example: "This is the first step in the process, but not last, as we have several more steps to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Last week, when confronted with these emails, Kavanaugh testified that this was normal information shared with "friends across the aisle". As I told Kavanaugh then, I was born at night, but not last night.

The Washington Post

But not last night.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe tomorrow, but not last night.

The New York Times - Sports

We were all born at night -- but not last night".

The New York Times

Least but not last, a new design of heat exchanger is proposed based on these extra micro-effects.

Energy Procedia

The McNabb era ends for the fourth, but not last, time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

But not last week.

The New York Times - Sports

But not last week, and not in Beijing.

The New York Times

DeFranco Spagnola salon in Great Neck usually calls people who miss an appointment, but not last week.

The New York Times

Incentives, mostly in the form of below-market-rate financing, were offered by the majority of manufacturers throughout the latest period, but not last year.

The New York Times

The timing of Easter, which fell in March last year but is in April this year may have contributed to the weakness of headline inflation in March since prices often tend to rise before the festival, an effect that happened a year ago but not last month.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not last", ensure the subsequent items or steps are either explicitly mentioned or clearly implied, so the reader understands the continuation.

Common error

Avoid using "but not last" without any clear indication of what follows. This can leave the reader confused about the purpose or relevance of mentioning it wasn't the final item.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not last" functions as a conjunctive phrase that serves to indicate the non-finality of a particular item or action within a sequence. As evidenced by Ludwig, this construction typically precedes the introduction of subsequent elements, implying that there is more to come. The use of "but" introduces a contrast to any assumption of completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not last" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate that something is not the final item in a sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions as a conjunctive element to set expectations and signal continuation. Its neutral register allows for use across diverse contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in news, science, and wiki sources. While its meaning is clear, ensure the subsequent elements are either explicitly stated or implied for optimal clarity. Consider alternatives like "but not final" for slightly more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not final

Replaces "last" with "final", emphasizing the conclusive nature of the item being discussed.

but not the end

Substitutes "last" with "the end", highlighting that there are more items or stages to come.

yet to be completed

Shifts the focus to the ongoing nature of a task or process, implying more steps remain.

still in progress

Highlights the current state of being unfinished, suggesting further actions will follow.

more to come

Directly states that additional items or developments are expected.

not the only one

Emphasizes that there are other similar items or instances, not just a single one.

not the sole

A more formal way of saying "not the only one", indicating exclusivity is absent.

not the ultimate

Indicates that something is not the most important or final aspect, implying further significance exists.

leaving room for more

Focuses on the availability of space or opportunity for additional items or actions.

not the exception

Suggests that something is part of a larger pattern or series, rather than an isolated case.

FAQs

How can I use "but not last" in a sentence?

Use "but not last" to indicate that something is one in a series or sequence, with more to follow. For example: "This is the first, "but not last", step in the process."

What's a more formal alternative to "but not last"?

A more formal alternative could be "but not final" or "not the ultimate". These options provide a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it always necessary to specify what comes after using "but not last"?

While not always mandatory, specifying what follows "but not last" adds clarity. If the context makes it obvious, it's acceptable to omit the details.

How does "but not last" differ from "finally"?

"But not last" implies continuation, whereas "finally" indicates the end. Using them interchangeably would change the meaning drastically.