is second to last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is second to last" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the position of an item in a sequence, specifically the one that comes just before the last item. Example: "In the list of participants, Sarah is second to last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It has twice the number of brands of its closest competitor, Ford, but is second to last in the profitability league (see the charts).

The Economist

While crediting the United States with being the world's largest donor, the report points out that among the world's richest countries, America is second to last in aid as a portion of its national income, with Italy bringing up the rear.

The New York Times

General Motors, with a 56, is second to last and Chrysler, at 43, sits at the bottom for the third consecutive year.

The New York Times

"Out of 23 big-city school districts around the United States, New York City is second to last," Mr. Berg said.

The New York Times

The Red Bulls lead the league with 6 goals in the first 15 minutes of games and 14 in the first half, but the club is second to last in second-half scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Rourke said that high death rates in New Hampshire were symptomatic of a larger problem: The state is second to last, ahead of only Texas, in access to treatment programs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Those may be harder to come by, as the city's projected job growth rate over the next five years is fourth to last on our list.

Forbes

Last season, Edinburgh was second to last in the Pro12 but reached the Heineken Cup semifinals because it focused on performing well in that more illustrious European competition.

The New York Times - Sports

West Bromwich, which spent $21 million, was second to last.

The New York Times - Sports

We were second to last in shots and goals.

The Guardian - Sport

The St . LouisCardinals were second to last in the majors with 45 steals, and the Los Angeles Dodgers had 78.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is second to last", ensure the context clearly defines the total number of items or participants to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid misinterpreting "is second to last" as simply 'second'. Always clarify the sequence to ensure the intended meaning (penultimate) is understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is second to last" functions as a descriptive term indicating position in a sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. Examples from the provided data showcase its use in various contexts, such as rankings and order.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Sports

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is second to last" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the penultimate position in a sequence. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence in news and sports media makes it appropriate for general use, while its presence in scientific articles suggests suitability for more formal contexts as well. When writing, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "is next to last" or "is penultimate" can offer similar meaning but may vary in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is next to last

This alternative uses 'next' instead of 'second', maintaining the meaning of being immediately before the final item.

is penultimate

This alternative uses the more formal term 'penultimate', which specifically means second to last.

is second from the end

This alternative clearly describes the position as being the second item counting from the end.

is the runner-up for last place

This alternative is a more descriptive and informal way of saying "is second to last", especially in a competitive context.

is almost last

This alternative uses 'almost' to indicate the position is very close to being last.

is the second lowest

This alternative focuses on ranking from lowest to highest, placing the subject one position above the lowest.

ranks second from the bottom

This alternative explicitly mentions ranking from the bottom, emphasizing the low position.

is in the antepenultimate position

Replaces with a more complex and less frequently used term, indicating the item before the second to last.

is the second worst

Expresses a negative connotation, highlighting that it's the second-most undesirable position.

is the next to final

Alternative uses 'final' instead of 'last', retaining the essence of being before the end.

FAQs

How can I use "is second to last" in a sentence?

Use "is second to last" to indicate an item's position immediately before the final item in a list or sequence. For example, "In the race, John "is second to last"".

What can I say instead of "is second to last"?

You can use alternatives like "is next to last", "is penultimate", or "is second from the end" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is second to last"?

Yes, the phrase "is second to last" is grammatically correct and commonly used to denote the position immediately before the last item in a sequence or list.

What's the difference between "is second to last" and "is last"?

"Is second to last" refers to the item immediately preceding the final item, while "is last" indicates the final item itself. They denote different positions within a sequence.