penultimate paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

"penultimate paragraph" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the paragraph that precedes the last paragraph of a document. For example, "Read the penultimate paragraph of the article to gain a better understanding of the author's argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A sentence in its penultimate paragraph delivers a gob of nonsense, or semi-sense, instead.

The New York Times - Books

The original linked to an out-of-date website for Maria Golia in the penultimate paragraph.

The Guardian

A minor amendment was made to the penultimate paragraph of this article on 22 March 2010.

The Guardian - Opinion

The penultimate paragraph is about the only section I can agree with.

The New York Times

This article has been amended to correct a typographical error in the penultimate paragraph.

The Guardian

The only mention of academies is in the penultimate paragraph of the schools section.

The Guardian

In the penultimate paragraph, the word her was changed to she in the sentence "she and Yang".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was displeased that the school's survey results, which showed that only 6.7 percent of parents were against their longer day, was left to the penultimate paragraph.

The New York Times

It originally stated in the penultimate paragraph that the ae911truth.org rejects the idea that Islamists flew two planes into the World Trade Centre.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We have removed both initial and final paragraphs in their entirety as suggested, and have slightly altered the remaining (second and penultimate) paragraphs to introduce and conclude the paper.

eLife

Mr President, I would simply like to ask you to take note of the fact that in item 19, in the penultimate sub-paragraph, there is a correction to made in the Spanish version.

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referencing a specific paragraph, ensure accurate numbering or clear indicators to avoid ambiguity. Use "penultimate paragraph" to clearly point to the second-to-last paragraph.

Common error

Avoid mistaking the "penultimate paragraph" for the final paragraph. The penultimate is the second to last, containing significant, but not concluding, information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "penultimate paragraph" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjectival modifier, specifically identifying and locating a particular paragraph within a written work. This is based on Ludwig's examples, indicating its role in amendments or referencing contents within specific articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "penultimate paragraph" is a correct and commonly used term for referring to the second to last paragraph in a text. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's frequently employed in news, media, and scientific contexts for clarity and precision. To ensure accurate references, writers should avoid mistaking it for the final paragraph. The phrase has several alternative, such as "second to last paragraph", which can be used interchangeably depending on the desired level of formality. Ludwig's extensive examples demonstrate its widespread acceptance in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second to last paragraph

Emphasizes the paragraph's position by counting from the end.

next to last paragraph

Indicates the paragraph immediately preceding the final one.

last but one paragraph

Highlights the paragraph as the one before the last.

second from the end paragraph

More descriptive way to indicate position from the end.

paragraph before the final one

Explicitly states its position relative to the final paragraph.

ante-penultimate paragraph

Uses a less common, more formal term.

paragraph preceding the conclusion

Focuses on the paragraph's role before the concluding section.

the paragraph immediately before the end

Highlights immediacy and proximity to the document's conclusion.

next-to-closing paragraph

A shorter, hyphenated alternative.

the paragraph prior to the ultimate paragraph

More formal and somewhat redundant phrasing.

FAQs

What does "penultimate paragraph" mean?

The "penultimate paragraph" refers to the second to last paragraph in a text or document. It is the paragraph that comes immediately before the final paragraph.

How do I use "penultimate paragraph" in a sentence?

You can use "penultimate paragraph" to direct a reader's attention to a specific section of text. For example, "The key findings are summarized in the "penultimate paragraph" of the report."

What is another way to say "penultimate paragraph"?

Alternatives to "penultimate paragraph" include "second to last paragraph", "next to last paragraph", or "last but one paragraph". These all refer to the same section of text.

Where does the term "penultimate paragraph" commonly appear?

The term "penultimate paragraph" is often found in academic papers, news articles, and other formal writing where precise references to specific sections are necessary. You'll often see it when amendments are made, as in, "A minor revision was made the "penultimate paragraph" of this piece."