every last item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every last item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that all items, without exception, are included or accounted for. Example: "Before we leave, we need to ensure that we have packed every last item from the list."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Finally, once you've finished burning everything, please double-check that you got every last item, by reburning all of it.

The New Yorker

They do not intone psalms about Chef's wisdom or explicate every last item on every last plate.

The New York Times - Food

It all belongs to the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art here, but every last item is for sale.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's all gone, every last item, but it's a great sense of relief to think that we lost not one hair on a child's head," Mr Holmes said.

Independent

— All Sunday afternoon, the Jets carried pillows, monogrammed luggage and flat-screen televisions into their dormitory, stocking this temporary training camp abode with every last item except the belongings of their best player, cornerback Darrelle Revis.

The New York Times - Sports

So this week, I took a trunkload of clothing to my local Goodwill in Downtown Brooklyn and watched as one of its experts, Gidget Despiau, picked through every last item.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For each item, the child was asked to click on the best response from a set of options presented on screen (Never or hardly ever- Once or twice a month- Once or twice a week- Almost every day; for the last item: None- 15 min- 30 min- 45 min or more).

Behavior Genetics

This last item surprised me.

The New Yorker

"...Time for one last item.

The New Yorker

This last item is critical.

The New York Times

This last item sounds trivial.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every last item" to add emphasis when you want to convey that nothing has been overlooked or omitted. It is especially effective in contexts where thoroughness is crucial, such as inventories or checklists.

Common error

While "every last item" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or dramatic in casual settings. Choose simpler alternatives like "all items" or "everything" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every last item" functions as a determiner phrase specifying and emphasizing the inclusion of all items in a set. It highlights that nothing is excluded. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is often used to indicate thoroughness or completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "every last item" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the inclusion of all items in a set, ensuring thoroughness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's particularly suitable in contexts where completeness is crucial. While versatile, it leans towards a slightly formal tone, so simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. Its primary function is to assure that nothing has been overlooked, making it valuable for detailed descriptions, inventories, and checklists. News and media are the most frequent contexts where this phrase is used. Consider alternatives like "each and every item" or "all items without exception" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

each and every item

Replaces "every" with "each and every" for added emphasis on the individual items.

every single item

Adds emphasis by using "single" to highlight that each item is accounted for.

all items without exception

Uses a more formal and explicit way of stating that no items are excluded.

all of the items

A simpler and more direct way of saying "every last item".

the entirety of items

Replaces "every last item" with a more collective noun phrase.

the complete list of items

Focuses on the list being exhaustive and containing all items.

not a single item left

Focuses on the absence of any remaining items, implying completeness.

everything to the last detail

Shifts focus to the level of detail, encompassing all items completely.

items, one and all

Uses a more literary and emphatic phrasing to include all items.

each item completely

Focuses on the thoroughness of dealing with each item.

FAQs

How can I use "every last item" in a sentence?

You can use "every last item" to emphasize completeness. For example, "Before we leave, ensure you have packed "every last item" from the list."

What are some alternatives to "every last item"?

Alternatives include "each and every item", "all items without exception", or "the entirety of items" depending on the context.

Is "every last item" formal or informal?

"Every last item" leans towards a slightly formal tone due to its emphatic nature. Consider simpler alternatives like "all items" in more casual contexts.

What does "every last item" emphasize?

"Every last item" emphasizes that no item has been overlooked or omitted, stressing thoroughness and completeness. It highlights that nothing is missing.