last sign of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last sign of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the most recent indication or evidence of something, often in a context where one is tracking changes or occurrences over time. Example: "The last sign of winter was the final snowfall in early March."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Then the last sign of civilization disappeared, and we found ourselves in a sea of sand.

The New York Times - Travel

The last sign of life was a grunt logged by zookeepers around 9 a.m. on Sunday, Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

An average of 2,544 fans attended this season, not the last sign of change in Lloyd Noble.

The New York Times - Sports

After days of self-torment, sleeping and eating little but praying almost continuously, Aimee managed this last sign of inner baptism.

The New Yorker

Romantics see the bracelet as Saint-Exupéry's last sign of devotion, a message from the deep to discredit the anti-Consuelo lobby.

The Guardian - Books

But the referee, David Fernández Borbalán, disagreed, and the last sign of ear-splitting noise came when the officials left the field for halftime.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It was in the January and the last signing of the window.

Independent

Helder joined Arsenal from Vitesse Arnhem in February 1995, the last signing of George Graham who left the club a week later.

The Guardian - Sport

But there are at last signs of a genuine recovery, much of it brought about by putting investment to work and creating value".

Independent

Adriano Galliani has suggested that may not be Milan's last signing of the window, either, saying: "There is still a week left.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Smith's voice remains in reasonably good shape, but in the two years since I saw her last, signs of fatigue have set in.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "last sign of", ensure the context clearly establishes a sequence or progression leading up to the sign being described. This helps to emphasize the finality or culmination of a process or event.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "last sign of" something is necessarily its most important. It may simply be the most recent, and other factors may have greater significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last sign of" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most recent indicator or piece of evidence related to a specific phenomenon, as illustrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last sign of" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates the most recent evidence or indication of a phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, general reports, and scientific writing. While often associated with endings or declines, the phrase isn't inherently negative and can highlight the completion of any sequence. Alternatives like "final indication of" or "latest symptom of" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to contextualize the phrase clearly to emphasize the temporal sequence and avoid overstating the significance of the "last sign". The phrase maintains a neutral register, its style largely influenced by the source in which it appears.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final indication of

Replaces "sign" with "indication", emphasizing the conclusive nature of the evidence.

ultimate evidence of

Emphasizes that it is the most definitive and conclusive evidence.

latest symptom of

Focuses on a symptom in a sequence, often used in medical or diagnostic contexts.

most recent manifestation of

Highlights the appearance or display of something, often an abstract concept or trend.

last vestige of

Implies that something is disappearing, with only a small trace remaining.

concluding evidence of

Emphasizes that the evidence is at the end of a series or process.

terminal mark of

Suggests that something is coming to an end, focusing on the finality.

dying ember of

Emphasizes the fading and weakening state of something, comparing it to a dying fire.

waning symbol of

Highlights the decreasing influence or importance of something symbolic.

last glimmer of

Focuses on a brief and faint indication of hope or positivity before something ends.

FAQs

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

Use "last sign of" to indicate the most recent evidence or indication of something. For example, "The "last sign of" the storm was the receding floodwaters."

What's a good alternative to "last sign of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "final indication of", "ultimate evidence of", or "latest symptom of".

Is it always negative when describing the "last sign of" something?

Not necessarily. While often used in contexts where something is ending or disappearing, ""last sign of"" can also refer to the culmination or completion of a positive event or process.

How does "last sign of" differ from "final sign of"?

"Final sign of" emphasizes the conclusion or end, while ""last sign of"" simply indicates the most recent. They are often interchangeable, but "final" carries a stronger sense of completion.