or lastly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "or lastly" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when introducing the final point in a list or series of items, but "lastly" alone is typically preferred. Example: "We need to consider the budget, the timeline, and or lastly, the resources available for the project."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Or, lastly, take industrial policy – or the lack of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Typically, the critics' views spring from characterizations in news articles and popular entertainment, from hoary mythology of the Elmer Gantry sort, from the newsletters and fund-raising appeals of organizations engaged in today's cultural wars or, lastly, from the impressions of people just like themselves.

The New York Times

Details such as these, to have any interest with posterity, must concern great personages, with whom fame has made us acquainted, and regarding whom we wish to know every particular, however trifling; or they must relate to persons whom we ourselves know; or, lastly, they may be written with such a charm of style as to please on that account, without reference to their subject matter.

The Economist

Or lastly, it might be a model where payment is on a per-play basis rather than a per-purchase basis".

Forbes

One might suppose that subjects with low pelvi-femoral ratio in hip flexion, or with low lumbar-to-hip ratio in forward bending, or lastly with more anterior pelvic rotation in deep squat, would be more prone to FAI than subjects with higher ratios and less squat-related pelvic anterior rotation.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

If they answer their phone, carry a coffee or shake, sit down while they are training you, talk with other clients or, lastly but most importantly, they are late or cancel on you, find another trainer.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This is not an easy task either when it comes to suspicions of DV or CA. Lastly, the GDP is supposed to decide whether or not to report his or her suspicions.

BMC Oral Health

No significant difference in the magnitude of the altered pressure pain threshold was seen between sides for the first or the lastly assessed side.

European Journal of Pain

When that has dried, you can paint it, black at the top then brown or grey, lastly green for grass at the bottom.

WikiHow

Exclusion criteria included patients with a body mass index ≥35, a history of drug or alcohol abuse, bone healing disorders, the presence or history of active malignancy or systemic disease, physical or mental incapacity, legal incompetence, systemic or severe local inflammation or infections, and lastly any patient receiving radio- or chemotherapy before, during or within a period of 1 year.

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

The 'colles' (or groups of 'castellers') create the towers via three main parts: the 'pinya' or base, then the 'tronc' (or trunk), and lastly the 'pom de dait,' which includes also the 'anxaneta' at the very top, made up of small children.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "lastly" or "finally" instead of "or lastly" for a more concise and direct style. The "or" is often redundant.

Common error

Avoid using "or lastly" repeatedly in formal writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less professional. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or lastly" functions as a conjunctive adverb to introduce the final item in a series or list. It signals the concluding point, often after presenting alternatives or options, although Ludwig AI and many style guides consider the "or" to be somewhat redundant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "or lastly" is a conjunctive phrase used to introduce the final point in a series, suggesting it as an alternative or concluding item. While grammatically acceptable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is often considered redundant due to the presence of "or". For clearer and more concise writing, "lastly" or "finally" are preferable alternatives. The phrase appears most frequently in science and news media contexts, but remember to consider the overall tone and style of your writing when choosing whether to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finally

More concise and direct way to indicate the last point.

lastly

Omits "or", making the phrase more succinct and common.

in conclusion

More formal, used to summarize and end a discussion.

to conclude

Similar to "in conclusion" but slightly less formal.

as a final point

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the points.

on the final note

Offers a sense of closure on the topic

to end with

Indicates the closing remark or item.

as the last item

Clearly denotes the final element in a series.

ultimately

Focuses on the end result or final consequence.

in the end

Highlights the final outcome or resolution.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "or lastly"?

While grammatically acceptable, "or lastly" is often considered redundant. The word "lastly" alone sufficiently indicates the final item in a list. Ludwig AI suggests it may sound awkward in some contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "or lastly"?

"Or lastly" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that the final item is an alternative to previously mentioned items, though it is generally more concise to use "lastly" alone.

What are some alternatives to "or lastly"?

You can use alternatives like "finally", "lastly", "in conclusion", or "to conclude" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference in meaning between "lastly" and "or lastly"?

The meaning is essentially the same, but "or lastly" can sometimes imply that the final point is an alternative option. "Lastly" is generally preferred for its conciseness.