second from the end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second from the end" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the item or element that is positioned two places before the last in a sequence. Example: "In the list of participants, Sarah is second from the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the British champion responded to the first knockdown of his unblemished 17-fight career in devastating fashion, flooring Pajkic twice before forcing a conclusion 17 second from the end of the round.

Independent

Then, in the lightning crack of glove on chin, they both were gifted a new excuse to sit down and talk: it arrived one second from the end of round six in the non-title bout in the Grand Arena at the MGM Grand on Saturday between Márquez and Pacquiao – a single punch, which rendered the Filipino senseless for a worryingly long time and simultaneously changed the boxing landscape.

The Guardian - Sport

These are words that have the accented syllable second from the end: fácil, césped, mártir, álbum.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

His winner, 90 seconds from the end of normal time, provided an appropriate climax.

Independent

They can be miles ahead 10 seconds from the end and win nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

"Thirty seconds from the end, and it all goes up in air".

The New York Times - Sports

The Rangers even scored a goal of honor, 32 seconds from the end, when Wojtek Wolski ended the shutout.

The New York Times - Sports

And when it was over Saturday afternoon, only 3.6 seconds from the end of overtime, the Rangers stood alone, victorious.

The New York Times - Sports

The initial display of spontaneous celebration came a minute and seven seconds from the end of a national championship game that had felt decided for days.

The New York Times - Sports

The first ball went over it inside half a minute and, 30 seconds from the end, Miller nodded the last, unchallenged, in an innocent piece of shrugging mischief.

The Guardian - Sport

Walsh took his goal tally to six from seven attempts before wrapping up the scoring with a drop goal 90 seconds from the end.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, use "second from the end" to avoid ambiguity, especially in contexts where the term 'penultimate' might be unfamiliar to the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "second from the end" when you actually mean 'third from the end' or 'close to the end'. Always double-check the exact positioning to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second from the end" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying its position within a sequence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it accurately denotes the item immediately preceding the last one.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second from the end" is a prepositional phrase used to accurately indicate the item located immediately before the final item in a sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While less frequent than simpler positional terms, it provides clarity and avoids ambiguity, especially when precise placement is important. While ""penultimate"" serves as a formal alternative, "second from the end" remains suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral register and appearing in reliable news sources. Remember to use it carefully to ensure you are accurately describing the intended position within a list or series.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second to last

This phrase is nearly identical in meaning and structure.

the second last

This alternative changes the word order slightly while retaining the same meaning.

next to last

This is a direct synonym, indicating the position immediately before the last.

penultimate

A more formal synonym for "next to last".

one before the end

This alternative focuses on the numerical position relative to the end.

immediately preceding the last

This is a more descriptive and formal way to express the same idea.

second from the back

This alternative replaces "end" with "back", implying a linear arrangement.

close to the end

Indicates proximity to the end, but not necessarily the exact second position.

near the finish

Emphasizes nearing the termination point, appropriate in contexts like races.

antepenultimate

Referring to the third from last, offering a related but distinct positional term.

FAQs

What does "second from the end" mean?

The phrase "second from the end" refers to the item or element that is positioned two places before the last one in a sequence or list. It's synonymous with "next to last" or "penultimate".

How can I use "second from the end" in a sentence?

You can use "second from the end" to specify a particular item's position. For instance, "The "second from the end" chapter of the book was the most exciting."

Is there a more formal alternative to "second from the end"?

Yes, a more formal alternative to "second from the end" is "penultimate". It's often used in academic or technical contexts.

What is the difference between "second from the end" and "third from the end"?

"Second from the end" refers to the item immediately before the last, while "third from the end" refers to the item two positions before the last. "Second from the end" is also known as the penultimate element.