is not last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not last" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not occupy the final position in a sequence or ranking. Example: "In the race, she finished strong and is not last, proving her determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But our defense is not last year's defense.

The New York Times - Sports

This is "not last year's phenomena," he said.

The New York Times

"New Hampshire is not last in the nation, we're first in the nation.

The New York Times

That is not last month's news, it is simply her agenda for this early spring day: a trip to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, where she is to sit on a stage and chat about her career, first as a Broadway scene-stealer, more recently as a cabaret regular and a guest star on sitcoms like "30 Rock".

The New York Times

If, when "moving along" S we encounter a sequence that consists exactly of two appearances of X and one each of U, Y and Z, in any order, then the probability (over all instances of the organism in question) that Z is not last is less than 0.2.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is not lasting anger, of course.

The Guardian

Maybe even much of what defines us is not lasting.

The Guardian - Books

Our rail system is not last-century, it is century-before-last!

Huffington Post

It's hard enough to take the SAT under normal conditions; try taking it immediately after the College Board's president, David Coleman, has proclaimed: "It is time for an admissions assessment that makes it clear that the road to success is not last-minute tricks or cramming".

Los Angeles Times

We are not last.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Weintraub was not last.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not last" to clearly indicate that something or someone is not in the final position or state. This phrasing is straightforward and easily understood in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is not last" when a more specific description of the position is required. For example, instead of saying "the team is not last", specify "the team is in second place" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not last" functions as a descriptor indicating a position or state that is not the final one. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples illustrate its use in various contexts to denote something avoiding the lowest rank.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not last" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that something or someone has avoided being in the final or worst position. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its primary function is descriptive, often used to offer reassurance or a positive perspective. While suitable for general use, being more specific may improve clarity in some situations. Found frequently in news and media, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for broad application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not come in last place

Rephrases the idea of not being last using a more descriptive term for position.

is not in the bottom position

Emphasizes the avoidance of the lowest rank or position.

is not the least

Uses "least" to convey the idea of not being at the lowest end of a scale.

is not the end

Focuses on the continuation or non-finality of a situation or event.

is not the ultimate

Shifts the focus to not being the final or definitive outcome.

is not concluding

Highlights that something is not terminating or finishing.

is not expiring

Implies that something is not coming to an end or ceasing.

is not terminating

Similar to "is not expiring", emphasizing the lack of termination.

is not ceasing

Indicates the continuation of something, not coming to a halt.

is not expiring soon

Adding "soon" limits the time frame of not expiring

FAQs

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

You can use "is not last" to indicate that someone or something didn't finish in the final position, such as, "Despite the challenges, the project "is not last" in priority".

What are some alternatives to saying "is not last"?

Alternatives include phrases like "does not come in last place", "is not in the bottom position", or "is not the least" depending on the specific context.

Is "is not last" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is not last" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something or someone is not in the final or worst position.

What's the difference between "is not last" and "is not the last"?

"Is not last" generally refers to a position in a sequence or ranking, while "is not the last" suggests that there are more to follow or that something is ongoing. For example, "This is not the last time we'll meet" indicates future encounters.