last leaves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last leaves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final leaves remaining on a tree or plant, often in the context of autumn or the end of a season. Example: "As winter approached, the last leaves clung to the branches, a reminder of the vibrant colors of fall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

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

When describing the transition from autumn to winter, use "last leaves" to create a sense of finality and the passage of time.

Common error

Avoid using "last leaves" when describing new growth in spring. The phrase implies an ending, not a beginning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last leaves" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It refers to the final leaves remaining on a tree or plant, especially as winter approaches. Ludwig provides examples that show its usage in describing seasonal changes.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

The Economist

33%

The Guardian

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last leaves" is a noun phrase that describes the final leaves remaining on a tree or plant, typically in autumn. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While "last leaves" has a descriptive purpose, its use is generally neutral and evokes imagery of seasonal change and transition. Common alternatives include "final leaves" and "remaining leaves". Remember to avoid using the phrase in contexts where new growth is being described, as it implies an ending. Keep in mind that the best use of this phrase occurs when trying to paint a picture of autumn.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final leaves

Replaces "last" with "final", emphasizing the concluding nature of the leaves.

remaining leaves

Focuses on the leaves that are still present, emphasizing their status as a remnant.

end-of-season foliage

Shifts the focus to the time of year and describes the foliage associated with that time.

the last of the foliage

Emphasizes that they are the very last pieces of foliage that remain.

autumn's remnants

Highlights that the leaves are a trace or reminder of autumn.

lingering leaves

Suggests that the leaves are remaining longer than expected.

late-season leaves

Highlights the time of year the leaves are seen.

vestiges of autumn

Focuses on the idea that the leaves are a surviving trace of autumn.

waning foliage

Emphasizes the decline and diminishing quantity of the foliage.

dwindling leaves

Focuses on the decreasing number of leaves.

FAQs

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

You can use "last leaves" to describe the final leaves remaining on a tree in autumn, such as, "The "last leaves" were clinging to the branches as winter approached."

What are some alternatives to "last leaves"?

Alternatives to "last leaves" include "final leaves", "remaining leaves", or "end-of-season foliage", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "last leaves" to describe spring foliage?

No, "last leaves" implies the end of a season, particularly autumn. For spring foliage, use terms like "new leaves" or "fresh foliage".

What imagery does the phrase "last leaves" evoke?

The phrase "last leaves" often evokes imagery of autumn, the end of a cycle, and the transition to winter, suggesting a sense of melancholy or the beauty of nature's cycle.