fourth and final

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fourth and final" can be used in written English and is correct.
It typically would be used when referring to something that is the fourth thing in a list or series, and the last in that list or series. For example: "These are the fourth and final steps in the process of making a cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Atlas Shrugged was Rand's fourth and final novel.

The Guardian - Books

She is in her fourth and final term.

The Washington Post

In 1685 the fourth and final folio was published.

Britannica

The Hawk was Pilcher's fourth and final machine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By contrast, the fourth, and final, movement needs no speculation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fourth and final point tilts in a different direction.

The New York Times

The fourth and final movement was especially fresh and bracing.

The New York Times - Arts

The fourth and final Test starts a week today.

The Guardian - Sport

Monday was the fourth and final day of the trial.

The New York Times

It's the fourth and final one of the over.

The Guardian - Sport

Flint's fourth and final emergency manager left office in April.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the preceding context clearly establishes that there are only four items or steps in total to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fourth and final" if there are actually more or fewer than four items in the sequence. Double-check the count to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fourth and final" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its position in a sequence and its conclusive nature. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fourth and final" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the last item or step in a sequence of four. As Ludwig AI highlights, it functions as a descriptive adjective phrase and is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives exist, "fourth and final" is preferred for its clarity and emphasis on both position and conclusion. The key is to ensure the sequence count is accurate to avoid misnumbering. With a high source quality score and expert rating, it stands as a reliable and effective phrase for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last and fourth

Reorders the adjectives, putting emphasis on the finality.

ultimate and fourth

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the final item.

fourth and concluding

Highlights the act of bringing something to a close.

fourth and terminal

Stresses the endpoint or cessation.

fourth and decisive

Indicates a turning point or a definitive resolution in the final step.

fourth and closing

Implies the end of a sequence or event.

the last of four

Emphasizes that it's the last in a series of four.

the final of four

Focuses on the finality within a set of four.

fourth installment and end

Refers to a series where the fourth installment also marks the end.

the fourth and no more

Stresses that there are no further steps or items beyond the fourth.

FAQs

How can I use "fourth and final" in a sentence?

You can use "fourth and final" to describe the last step in a process, like "The fourth and final step is to bake the cake." It can also describe the last item in a series, as in "This is the fourth and final book in the series."

What are some alternatives to saying "fourth and final"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "last of four", "ultimate and fourth", or "fourth and concluding".

Is it redundant to say "fourth and final"?

While "final" often implies that it is the last, using "fourth and final" provides additional clarity by explicitly stating the position in a sequence of four. It helps avoid any ambiguity.

In what situations is "fourth and final" most appropriate?

The phrase "fourth and final" is most appropriate when you want to emphasize both the specific position (fourth) and the conclusive nature (final) of an item or step, especially when dealing with a defined set of four elements.