final touches

USAGE SUMMARY

"final touches" is a correct and commonly used expression in written English.
It is often used to refer to any necessary improvements or modifications that need to be made at the end of a project or activity. For example, "We only need to make a few final touches before submitting the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was still putting on final touches.

The New Yorker

"We're ready for the final touches," he said.

The New Yorker

The final touches are being put in place.

The Guardian

The essential final touches are a sprinkle of that reserved bacon and plenty of black pepper.

The New York Times

A bit too cute trying to chip Portillo and failed on several other final touches.

The New York Times - Sports

Two men, both with 20-plus years in the capital, working out the final touches alone.

Independent

Meanwhile, Iris van Berne is having the final touches applied to her eyes.

The New York Times

This month and next, colleges and universities are putting final touches on the class of 2014.

The New York Times

Others delay final touches on building work to stop the vacancy clock starting.

Independent

(G.M. designers are currently putting final touches on 2017 models, she said).

The New York Times

Watching workmen scramble to put the final touches on the space, he experienced one such moment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "final touches" when you are referring to the last small actions that complete and perfect something. This expression is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "final touches" to describe significant overhauls or major changes. This phrase is meant for minor adjustments; for larger alterations, consider terms like "revisions", "modifications", or "reworking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "final touches" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the concluding actions or details applied to complete something. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "final touches" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that signifies the last small actions to complete and perfect something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to informal and business settings. While it's important to use "final touches" to describe minor adjustments, it should not be confused with major revisions. Alternatives such as "finishing touches" or "last-minute adjustments" can be used for the same meaning, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

putting the final touches

Variant with a verb, indicating action of adding last details.

putting the finishing touches

Similar to "finishing touches", with an active construction.

finishing touches

Emphasizes the act of finishing or completing something, similar to "final touches".

adding the last details

Stresses the action of incorporating missing elements.

final refinements

Focuses on making small improvements to perfect something.

making final corrections

Highlights correcting the last errors.

last-minute adjustments

Highlights that adjustments are made at the very end, close to a deadline.

polishing the details

Emphasizes the care and attention given to minor aspects for perfection.

completing the work

More generally indicates that the task is reaching full completion.

wrapping things up

Informal way of expressing completion.

FAQs

How to use "final touches" in a sentence?

You can use "final touches" to describe the last small actions that complete and perfect something. For example, "She was still putting the "final touches" on the presentation before the meeting".

What can I say instead of "final touches"?

You can use alternatives like "finishing touches", "last-minute adjustments", or "final refinements" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "final touches" in formal writing?

Yes, "final touches" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a common phrase that is widely understood and accepted.

What does "putting the final touches" on something mean?

"Putting the final touches" on something means adding the last small details or making minor adjustments to complete a task or project. It implies that the main work is done, and only small refinements are needed. It's very similar to "adding the last details".