fourth and last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fourth and last" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used when referring to one of several items, such as a list, in order to indicate that there are no more after the fourth item. For example, "These four books are my fourth and last purchase for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fourth and last occurred in 1997.

The Guardian

Despite the illness, Dudley was elected governor for the fourth and last time in 1650.

Wikipedia

This is the fourth and last debate of the 2012 campaign, brought to you by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

The New York Times

Nadal also won the fourth and last rubber of the 2011 Davis Cup final against the Argentine.

Wikipedia

"Outrageous" was the fourth and last single from the album, released on July 13 , 2004

Wikipedia

The fourth and last issue of the magazine will be published this month.

The New York Times

In 1843 he took the examination for the fourth and last time, but again he failed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Murray published the fourth and last novel in his Scooter cycle, "The Magic Keys," in 2005.

The New York Times - Books

Fourth, and last, the President speaks.

The New Yorker

In "Till," his fourth and last work, he did not.

The New Yorker

The fourth and last read: MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fourth and last" to clearly signal that you are at the end of a list or sequence, leaving no ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "fourth and last" without clearly establishing that there are only four items in the series; otherwise, it can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fourth and last" functions as a descriptive ordinal, indicating the final item in a sequence of four. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates its usage in written English. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fourth and last" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the final item in a sequence of four. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usability in written English is well-established. This phrase serves to clearly signal completion and is found across varied sources such as News & Media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives exist, such as "final in a series of four" or "last of the four", the original phrase remains a concise and effective way to convey its specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last of the four

Places emphasis on the finality within a set of four.

the last of four

A more concise way to express the ending of a sequence of four.

final among four

Shortens the phrase while keeping the original meaning.

final in a series of four

Focuses on the ordinal position, emphasizing that it's the ultimate item in a set of four.

the concluding fourth

Reorders the emphasis but retains the same core meaning.

the fourth and concluding

Highlights both the position and the conclusive nature.

the fourth and terminal

A more formal way to denote the final item.

number four and the end

More descriptive, explicitly states it's the end of the sequence.

the fourth, which is final

Adds a relative clause to explicitly state the finality.

the fourth and no more

Emphasizes the limit of the series.

FAQs

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

You can use "fourth and last" to indicate the final item in a sequence of four, such as "This is the "fourth and last" point I'd like to make".

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

Alternatives include "final in a series of four", "last of the four", or "the fourth and concluding".

Is it grammatically correct to say "fourth and last"?

Yes, "fourth and last" is grammatically correct when used to describe the final item in a sequence of four. Ludwig AI confirms that it's perfectly usable in written English.

What's the difference between "fourth and last" and "final"?

"Final" simply indicates the end, while "fourth and last" specifies that it is the last in a series of four. The phrase "fourth and last" explicitly limits the sequence to four items.