lastly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lastly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'lastly' to summarize or end a list of items, ideas, points, arguments, etc. For example: "I'd like to thank my parents, my teachers, my friends, and lastly, my employer for their ongoing support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lastly, Schmeling's main piece of advice for recruiters: Veterans are more than just their resume.

The Guardian - Money

And lastly, how do you measure your success?

The Guardian

If he can do it, so can I?" And lastly, "Those glasses make him look like Nana Mouskouri", (ask an elderly relative or someone nearly 40).

The Guardian - Film

Lastly, realise that while trying to look attractive to men is an appalling reason to care about your appearance, many women will have been conditioned to think that way on some level.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lastly, if you like Eyewitness, you might want to search for and follow 'Best photographs of the day' for even more of our fantastic photojournalism.

The Guardian

And, lastly, create a "bad bank" to hold the toxic loans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lastly, slums are often blamed for the actual flooding, and that can enter into justifications for demolition".

The Guardian

"In order of importance for me, the things I interact with are the watch face, and then complications and notifications, and then glances, and lastly it's apps," he says, noting that accessing the watch's apps menu and then picking which one to use feels like a cognitive leap too far.

The Guardian - Tech

Lastly, I'd like to take a final opportunity to thank everyone who donated to the campaign, supported it, commented on it or blogged about it – you really did make a difference to public discourse in this country and around the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Studios are provided for a fortunate few, who use this multi-disciplinary playground for work; and lastly, of course, there are the galleries – spacious, bright rooms that accommodate a varied programme featuring local as well as international young talent.

The Guardian - Travel

Lastly, don't forget the ending.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lastly" to clearly signal the final point in a sequence of arguments or items. This helps provide structure and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lastly" when only presenting two or three items. In such cases, "finally" or simply ordering the points suffices. Overusing "lastly" in short lists can sound repetitive or unnecessarily formal.

Linguistic Context

Lastly functions as a sentence adverb, specifically to mark the final item in a sequence or list. It signals to the reader or listener that the presentation is drawing to a close. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lastly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase to signify the final point in a series, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news, business, and academic contexts, it offers clarity and structure. While interchangeable with terms like "finally" or "in conclusion", "lastly" specifically indicates the end of a sequence or enumerated list, and its level of formality is generally neutral to formal. The key is to avoid overuse, especially in short lists, to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finally

A more general term for indicating the end of a sequence; it doesn't necessarily imply a list.

in conclusion

More formal and emphasizes a summary of preceding points.

to conclude

Similar to 'in conclusion' but slightly less common.

to summarize

Highlights that a summary is being presented, rather than just a final point.

in closing

Suitable for speeches or formal written pieces.

last but not least

Emphasizes that the final point is still important.

on a final note

Introduces a concluding thought, often in a more reflective manner.

as a final point

Directly signals the concluding item in a discussion.

ultimately

Emphasizes the final outcome or result after a process.

in the end

Focuses on the final result after a period of time or events.

FAQs

How do I use "lastly" in a sentence?

"Lastly" is typically used to introduce the final point in a series or list. For example: "First, consider the cost; second, think about the time commitment; and "lastly", evaluate the potential benefits."

What can I say instead of "lastly"?

You can use alternatives like "finally", "in conclusion", or "to summarize" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "and lastly"?

While grammatically correct, "and lastly" can sometimes be redundant. Using just ""lastly"" is often sufficient and more concise.

What's the difference between "finally" and "lastly"?

"Finally" is a more general term for indicating the end, while ""lastly"" specifically implies the end of a list or sequence of points.