last of all

USAGE SUMMARY

"last of all" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the last person, thing, or activity in a series of people, things, or activities. For example, "I ran, I walked, and last of all, I rode my bike back home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And last of all to the crowd.

Independent

Last of all, assess others.

Harvard Business Review

Last of all, there's Stupid Ass Greg.

The New Yorker

Last of all, don't ever forget your daddy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last of all, Timbaland his new mixtape, King Stay King.

The Guardian - Music

Last of all comes the dreaded team-building weekend.

The Guardian - Money

Last of all, with the help of levers, he drew the raft down into the water.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Germans en masse, objectively ridiculous, and free at last of all irony.

The New Yorker

In strength of schedule, Liberty ranked 300th and last of all Division I teams.

The New York Times - Sports

First to open will be the pub, then the restaurant and last of all, the hotel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last of all, who is the most famous person in your mobile phone?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last of all" to clearly signal the final point in a series, ensuring your audience understands the structure of your argument or list.

Common error

Avoid using "last of all" when only presenting two items; "finally" or "lastly" can be more concise and appropriate in shorter sequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last of all" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the final item or point in a sequence. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. Its role is to signal the end of a list or series of actions or items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

29%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last of all" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote the final element in a sequence or list. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. While suitable for diverse contexts, consider alternatives like "finally" or "lastly" for brevity, particularly in formal settings. Usage patterns show prevalence in News & Media and Wiki content. When using "last of all", ensure it effectively signals the concluding point and enhances clarity. Avoid overuse in short lists for better conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finally

Single word alternative, less verbose.

lastly

Single word alternative, slightly more formal.

in conclusion

More formal, often used to summarize arguments.

to conclude

Similar to "in conclusion", emphasizes summing up.

as a final point

Directly indicates the concluding item.

on a final note

Emphasizes the last thought or remark.

ultimately

Highlights the end result after a process.

to end with

Highlights the concluding action or statement.

in the end

Focuses on the final outcome or result.

summing up

Implies a concise overview before the end.

FAQs

How can I use "last of all" in a sentence?

Use "last of all" to introduce the final item in a series or list. For example, "We needed milk, eggs, and "last of all", bread for the sandwiches."

What are some alternatives to "last of all"?

Alternatives include "finally", "lastly", "in conclusion", or "to conclude". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "last of all" formal or informal?

"Last of all" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but single-word alternatives like "finally" or "lastly" might be preferred in more formal writing.

When should I use "last of all" instead of "finally"?

While both can indicate the final item, "last of all" emphasizes the sequential nature of the items more strongly. Use "last of all" when you want to highlight that something is the very last thing in a specific order. "Finally" is often a more general concluding term.