last grade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last grade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final level of education or a specific grade in a series of grades, often in an academic context. Example: "After completing the last grade of high school, she was excited to start her college journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

Education

Academic Research

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Worse: one in four students who start out in basic education leave school before they complete the last grade, according to the UN Development Programme's 2012 development report.

The Guardian - Opinion

Millennium development goal 2 aims to ensure that all children complete a full course of primary education, and is measured by enrolment, the proportion who reach the last grade, and literacy rates for those aged 15-24.

The Guardian

Douvan, the winner of the Arkle Trophy, is one of three possible runners from the Willie Mullins stable in Saturday's Celebration Chase at Sandown, the last Grade One of the jumps season and a race that could be crucial in the battle between Mullins and Paul Nicholls.

The Guardian - Sport

(The last grade of adequacy itself subdivides into different notions, for "sense" can be spelled out in several different ways).

SEP

They were taken from the tenth grade, since the ninth grade is the last grade in which Greek school students are taught evolutionary theory, as referred to above.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The prevalence of migraine in our study was found to be highest among seventh grade (the last grade) followed after by the sixth grade.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The final grades from your junior year will likely be the last grades that colleges will see on your transcript during the fall application cycle, not including grades that are sent to colleges during the first term of your senior year.

The New York Times

This shows your last grades for your senior year, which most likely weren't available when you sent a copy of your transcript to colleges for consideration.

Huffington Post

Academic performance will be assessed by asking adolescents to list their last grades on core subjects.

BMC Public Health

Say goodbye to your teachers from the last grades, but don't stay for so long that you'll cry remembering the past.

WikiHow

After I assigned final grades last semester, two students asked me to reconsider the Cs I gave them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing educational attainment, clarify the level of education (e.g. "last grade of high school" vs. "last grade of elementary school") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "last grade" when you mean "latest grade". "Last grade" refers to the final grade achieved, while "latest grade" refers to the most recent grade received, which might not be the final one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last grade" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a specific point in an educational sequence. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last grade" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the final year or level of an educational program. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is correctly used in a variety of contexts, ranging from academic research to general discussions about education. While interchangeable with alternatives like "final year" or "terminal grade", it's important to clarify the specific level of education being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Remember that "last grade" specifies the final level completed, differing from the "latest grade", which simply means the most recently acquired. Its widespread usage is reflected across reputable sources such as The New York Times, Huffington Post and scientific journals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final year

Focuses on the temporal aspect, the concluding year of a program.

terminal grade

Emphasizes that this grade is the end of a specific sequence.

highest level

Highlights the achievement of reaching the top of a hierarchy.

culminating grade

Stresses the idea of a grade that represents the peak or climax of studies.

final form

Emphasizes the final developmental stage instead of an educational context.

top grade

Focuses on achieving the best possible mark or standing.

ending grade

Highlights the grade that marks the termination of a period of study.

ultimate grade

Emphasizes that this is the definitive, unsurpassable grade.

concluding class

Shifts the focus from the grade itself to the final class or course.

last year of school

More descriptive, specifying the final year within the school system.

FAQs

What does "last grade" mean in an academic context?

In an academic context, "last grade" typically refers to the final year or level of a particular educational program, such as the last grade of high school or elementary school.

How can I use "last grade" in a sentence?

You might say, "After completing the last grade of middle school, he was ready for high school", or "The study focused on students in their last grade of primary education".

What's a good alternative to using "last grade"?

Depending on the context, you could use "final year", "terminal grade", or "highest level".

Is there a difference between "last grade" and "final grade"?

While similar, "last grade" often implies the concluding grade within a specific sequence (e.g. the last grade in elementary school), whereas "final grade" can refer to the grade received in a particular course or the overall grade at the end of a program.