last word

USAGE SUMMARY

"last word" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the conclusion of a discussion or conversation, or to the person who gets the final say in a decision. For example, you could say "Let's have the last word on this be Joe, since he's the manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

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

"They gave me their word a year ago and now I want them to honour that.

The Guardian - Sport

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last word" when you want to emphasize the finality of a decision or statement in a discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "last word" to justify actions taken without consulting others. While it implies finality, it should not excuse a lack of collaboration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last word" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies the final statement, decision, or authority in a given situation. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last word" is a noun phrase indicating the final statement, decision, or authority in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is grammatically sound, its frequency is currently categorized as "Missing" due to the lack of extracted examples. The phrase can be used in neutral settings to define the finality of a decision. Related phrases include "final say", "ultimate decision", and "concluding remark", which all share the common theme of indicating authority and the end of a process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Final say

Emphasizes the authority to make the ultimate decision.

Ultimate decision

Highlights the concluding nature of the decision-making process.

Final decision

Directly refers to the concluding choice.

Final conclusion

Emphasizes the concluding point reached after deliberation.

Concluding remark

Focuses on the final statement made in a discussion.

Last comment

Simplest and most direct synonym.

Parting shot

Suggests a final, often impactful, comment.

Final judgment

Specifically used in the context of legal or formal decisions.

Final analysis

Refers to the definitive assessment or conclusion.

Definitive statement

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the statement.

FAQs

How to use "last word" in a sentence?

You can use "last word" to refer to the final statement in a discussion, such as: "He always has to have the last word in any argument." It can also refer to the final decision-making authority.

What can I say instead of "last word"?

You can use alternatives like "final say", "ultimate decision", or "concluding remark" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to always want the "last word"?

While it is natural to want to express your opinion, always needing the "last word" can be perceived as domineering or unwilling to listen to others. Consider the context and the impact on others.

What's the difference between "last word" and "final thought"?

"Last word" implies authority or the end of a discussion, while "final thought" simply refers to a concluding idea or consideration. The "last word" carries more weight in terms of decision-making power.