last remaining

USAGE SUMMARY

"last remaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an entity or object that has been depleted from a larger group - for example, "We only have two tickets left, so they are the last remaining tickets available."

✓ 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 remaining" when you want to emphasize that something is the final element from a group that no longer exists in its entirety. It adds a sense of finality and scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "last remaining" in contexts where 'last' alone suffices. For example, instead of saying "the last remaining piece that still remains", say "the last remaining piece."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last remaining" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier. It qualifies a noun by indicating that it is the final element of its kind that still exists. Although there are no examples available to use as reference, Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last remaining" is a grammatically sound and understandable construction used to emphasize that something is the final one of its kind. The expression functions as a descriptive modifier and is typically neutral in tone and register. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, a lack of data limits the ability to comprehensively analyze its various contextual usages, but this doesn't detract from the phrase's general validity and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only one left

A simpler, more direct way to express the concept of something being the last.

final vestige

Replaces "last remaining" with a more formal and evocative term for a final trace.

the last vestige

More formal than "last remaining", and implies a symbolic or historical significance.

last vestige existing

Very similar to “last remaining” but uses synonym of remaining that is existing, so slightly different wording.

ultimate vestige

Similar to 'final vestige' but emphasizes the extremity of the finality.

final vestige remaining

Combines the 'final vestige' alternative, and is a bit redundant but stresses the scarcity and finality.

terminal vestige

Emphasizes the finality and end of a process or state.

sole survivor

Implies something was destroyed or eliminated, leaving only one.

the only remnant

Focuses on the idea of something being a trace or fragment of what once existed.

last vestige standing

Implies resilience or survival against odds.

FAQs

What does "last remaining" mean?

The phrase "last remaining" signifies the final element or item that exists from a larger original set. It emphasizes that nothing else is left.

What can I say instead of "last remaining"?

You can use alternatives like "only one left", "sole survivor", or "final vestige" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "last remaining"?

While "last" and "remaining" have similar meanings, "last remaining" can be used for emphasis when you want to stress the finality of something.

How to use "last remaining" in a sentence?

Example usage: "This is the "last remaining" cookie in the jar" or "He is the "last remaining" member of his family."