last chapter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last chapter" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the final section of a book or narrative. An example is: "In the last chapter, the protagonist finally confronts their fears." Alternative expressions include "final chapter" and "concluding chapter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This was sort of the last chapter.

The New York Times

James sets his last chapter in Florida.

The New York Times - Arts

Hopefully, it will be the last chapter for Greece.

The New York Times

In the last chapter, Nuzzi sounds a rather pessimistic note.

The New Yorker

In the last chapter, he is still drifting.

The New Yorker

I suggest criteria in the last chapter of my book.

The New York Times

"It's the last chapter in a very strange story".

The New York Times

"The last chapter of the 20th century," he said.

The New York Times

So are we witnessing the last chapter of Blur?

The Guardian - Music

Watch Martin Amis talk about the controversial last chapter!

The Guardian - Books

The last chapter is advice on hiring a cleaning service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Apply the phrase metaphorically to describe the end of an era, a career or a significant life event to add narrative weight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "last chapter" to mean the one you just finished if there are many more chapters remaining in the book. This can confuse readers into thinking you have reached the end of the work. Instead, use "previous chapter" to refer to the section immediately before the current one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last chapter" functions primarily as a noun phrase composed of the superlative adjective "last" and the noun "chapter". In a sentence, it often serves as the subject or the direct object, frequently appearing within prepositional phrases (e.g., "in the "last chapter""). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is a standard way to denote terminal sequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "last chapter" is a robust and essential phrase in English with 59 high-quality examples in the Ludwig database confirming its versatility. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, where it serves to denote the definitive end of a sequence. Ludwig AI categorizes its status as Correct and highly frequent. While it is often interchangeable with "final chapter", it remains the go-to choice for both literal descriptions of literature and poignant metaphors for the end of life stages or political eras. Writers should simply ensure they do not confuse it with ""previous chapter"" when referring to ongoing progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final chapter

Interchangeable with the query but often carries a slightly more formal or definitive connotation.

concluding chapter

Emphasizes the function of bringing a narrative or argument to a close.

closing chapter

Commonly used in literature and business to signal the end of a specific period or section.

end chapter

A more direct, though slightly less common, noun-noun construction.

terminal chapter

Technical or scientific variation used to describe the very last part of a sequence.

ultimate chapter

Suggests the most significant or final point in a series, often used dramatically.

epilogue

A specific literary term for a section that follows the main narrative, often used as a one-word substitute.

latest chapter

Refers to the most recent part of an ongoing series rather than the definitive end.

wrap-up section

Informal alternative often used in presentations or blogs.

previous chapter

Indicates the section immediately preceding the current one rather than the end.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "last chapter"?

Depending on the tone, you can use phrases like "final chapter", "concluding chapter" or even "epilogue" for literary works.

Is "last chapter" correct for metaphorical use?

Yes, it is very common in journalism to describe the end of a situation. For instance, a newspaper might write about the "last chapter of the financial crisis".

Which is correct: "last chapter" or "final chapter"?

Both are grammatically correct and mostly interchangeable. However, "final chapter" is often preferred in formal publishing, while "last chapter" is more common in general conversation.

Can "last chapter" mean the one I just read?

Technically yes, but to avoid confusion with the end of the book, it is better to use "the previous chapter" if you are still in the middle of the text.