last option

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last option" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the final choice available in a given situation or decision-making process. Example: "After considering all alternatives, I realized that taking the bus was my last option."

✓ Grammatically correct

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 option" when emphasizing that all other possibilities have been exhausted. It conveys a sense of finality and limited choice.

Common error

Avoid using "last option" when you actually mean the most preferred or effective choice. "Last option" implies a lack of better alternatives, not necessarily the ideal solution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last option" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It signifies the final alternative or choice available in a given situation. Although Ludwig does not show specific examples, it's a common construction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last option" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that indicates a final choice or alternative. Although Ludwig does not provide examples, its meaning is widely understood and used across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability, writers can confidently employ it to convey a sense of finality and limited choice. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a situation where all other possibilities have been exhausted, and avoid confusing it with the "best option" or preferred choice. While the frequency cannot be determined due to a lack of examples in the provided dataset, the phrase's semantic clarity and versatility make it a valuable addition to a writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final resort

Focuses on the idea that it's the last thing to turn to when all else fails.

ultimate choice

Highlights the conclusive nature of the selection.

last alternative

Emphasizes that there are no other alternatives available.

final possibility

Stresses the lack of further opportunities.

only recourse

Implies that there's no other way to address the situation.

final solution

Suggests a decisive resolution after exhausting other attempts.

last measure

Highlights that it's the concluding action taken.

final act

Indicates the concluding step in a series of actions.

last hope

Highlights that it's the final source of optimism.

last ditch effort

Emphasizes a final attempt with little chance of success.

FAQs

How to use "last option" in a sentence?

You can use "last option" to indicate that something is the final choice available after all other possibilities have been exhausted. For example, "If negotiations fail, military intervention will be our "last option"".

What can I say instead of "last option"?

You can use alternatives like "final resort", "ultimate choice", or "only recourse" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "last option" or "final option"?

Both "last option" and "final option" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "last option" and "preferred option"?

"Last option" implies a situation where all other choices have been exhausted, whereas "preferred option" suggests the most desirable or advantageous choice among several possibilities. The former is about necessity, the latter about preference.