last chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an opportunity that may not be available again, or when expressing urgency. For example: "This is your last chance to get the early bird discount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last one was in 1989.

The Economist

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

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

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

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

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

The shares have underperformed the market by 6% in the last three months and now trade at a discount to the oil service peers.

The Guardian - Business

This was the second time in seven months that Hill has come close to the death chamber: last July he was spared by just 90 minutes and the experience was repeated on Tuesday night with just 30 minutes to go.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last chance" to create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action. This is particularly effective in marketing or persuasive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "last chance" when there is no actual deadline or limited opportunity, as it can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last chance" functions primarily as a noun phrase that often acts as an adjective modifying another noun. It signifies the final opportunity to perform an action or obtain something.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Sport

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last chance" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression utilized to convey a sense of urgency and finality. Although Ludwig's data does not provide example usages for "last chance", it's clear it functions as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally, to highlight the terminal nature of an opportunity. Related phrases such as "final opportunity" and "one last shot" offer similar meanings and can be used depending on the context. When employing this phrase, writers should aim to create a compelling call to action, while avoiding its overuse in non-urgent scenarios to maintain its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final opportunity

Emphasizes the end of available opportunities.

ultimate opportunity

Stresses the conclusive nature of the opportunity.

one last shot

Implies a final attempt or try.

final call

Highlights an imminent deadline or cutoff.

eleventh-hour opportunity

Indicates an opportunity arising very late.

last resort

Suggests an option considered only when all others have failed.

last-ditch effort

Emphasizes a desperate final attempt to achieve something.

swan song

Refers to a final performance or act before retirement or closure.

closing window

Indicates a limited time frame available.

now or never

Stresses the critical timing and exclusivity of the opportunity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "last chance" in a sentence?

Use "last chance" to emphasize the limited availability of an opportunity, such as "This is your "last chance" to register for the early bird discount."

What are some alternatives to "last chance"?

You can use alternatives like "final opportunity", "ultimate opportunity", or "one last shot" depending on the context.

Is "last chance" formal or informal?

"Last chance" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and audience. However, consider using more formal alternatives in highly professional settings.

When should I avoid using "last chance"?

Avoid using "last chance" when the opportunity is not genuinely limited or when trying to maintain a calm and reassuring tone. Overusing it can reduce its effectiveness.