last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final item in a sequence or the most recent occurrence of something. Example: "This is the last time I will remind you about the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The order book was down slightly at £3.6bn from the last update in June but well ahead of the £3.3bn reported this time last year.

The Guardian - Business

It didn't last.

The New York Times - Magazine

Among the last set of polls, three showed the main parties level-pegging, three had the Conservatives in front by a single point and one gave Labour a two-point advantage.

The Guardian

It will not be the last.

The New York Times

That didn't last long.

The New York Times - Arts

It would also be her last.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

"Scoring is not up, but injuries are up," Tallon said of the current rule last week.

The New York Times

Last summer the Electoral Commission said 7.5 million eligible voters were not registered, with poor, black and young people least likely to be on the electoral roll.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid ambiguity by clearly indicating what the "last" item refers to, especially in lists or sequences. Use clarifying phrases if needed, such as "the last item on the list".

Common error

Avoid assuming "last" always means "most recent". It can also mean "final" or "least likely". Ensure context clarifies the intended meaning to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The word "last" functions as an adjective, noun, verb, adverb, and determiner, modifying nouns to indicate the final item in a sequence, the most recent occurrence, or the least likely option. Ludwig provides examples of these versatile usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "last" proves to be a versatile term with diverse applications, serving as an adjective, noun, verb, adverb, and determiner. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct. As demonstrated by the examples, "last" can denote the final item in a series, the most recent occurrence, or even the least likely possibility. Understanding these nuances ensures clarity and precision in writing. Given its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, mastering its usage is essential for effective communication across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final

Focuses on the concluding aspect, emphasizing the end of a sequence or event.

ultimate

Highlights the conclusive and definitive nature, suggesting the highest or most extreme point.

most recent

Stresses the immediacy and temporal proximity to the present.

latest

Indicates the newest or most up-to-date occurrence.

concluding

Emphasizes the act of bringing something to a close.

enduring

Highlights the capacity to withstand or remain in existence for a long time.

remaining

Focuses on what is left after others have been removed or ceased to exist.

ultimate instance

Conveys the idea of the final or definitive example of something.

the very last

Adds emphasis to the finality, highlighting that there are no more beyond it.

closing

Highlights the action of bringing something to an end or a conclusion.

FAQs

How to use "last" in a sentence?

You can use "last" to refer to the final item in a sequence, like "This is the last piece of cake". It can also indicate the most recent occurrence, such as "I saw him "last week"" or "the last time". Additionally, "last" can mean least likely, as in "He's the last person I'd expect to do that".

What can I say instead of "last"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "final", "most recent", "latest", or "ultimate". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "the last one" or "the latest one"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The last one" refers to the final item in a series. "The latest one" refers to the most recent item. For example: "This is the last episode of the season" vs. "Have you seen the latest episode?"

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

"Last" indicates the position in a sequence (either temporal or ordinal). "Final" emphasizes the conclusive nature of something. "Last" can refer to the most recent occurrence, while "final" always means the end. For example: "This is my last attempt" indicates the most recent, and possibly terminal, attempt. "This is my final attempt" signals this is the conclusive try.