the final bus

USAGE SUMMARY

"the final bus" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the last bus of the day or the last bus to a particular destination. Example: I rushed to catch the final bus to the airport before it left for the night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Should Vela cut the final ties with Old Earth, even though her sister was not on the final bus –sorry, spaceship – with the rest of us?

Independent

After four hours of pubs and clubs in central London and Shoreditch, talking to people at about how they get home – lots of them use night buses – I take the final bus of my week-long tour of London by bus: the N9 which runs all the way from Trafalgar Square to Heathrow, serving another part of London's huge night economy.

Independent

Because after the final bus disappears from sight there will still be pictures of Bloody Marys to share, followed a few hours later by posts featuring the same exact kids that just climbed up onto the buses, then making their excited descent on the other side.

Huffington Post

Connect the final bus wire to a diode.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She smokes on the 15-minute walk to her final bus.

Los Angeles Times

Teams usually arrive for the final by bus, but with Twickenham Stoop only a few hundred yards from England's national stadium, you cannot rule out that one of the finalists just might be able to walk there.

The New York Times - Sports

If you take the third train (departing Richmond at 1 34pm) you have to wait in Merced for well over an hour; and the last (6:09 p.m). train arrives in Merced long after the final YARTS bus, and thus is not recommended.

Huffington Post

After 24 hours, Ms. Zheng arrived at her final bus depot.

The New York Times

Nine days later, exactly eight months after his final bus journey, Derek's body was found.

The Guardian - Music

Mike and I made our final bus transfer to Denver.

Vice

His stylish work boots plodded on the cement floor leading out of the Network Associates Coliseum to the Jets' final postgame bus ride.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the final bus", consider whether you want to emphasize the end of a journey, a service, or a specific time. This choice can influence your word selection and sentence structure.

Common error

Avoid using "the final bus" when you simply mean 'a last bus'. "The final bus" implies it is the absolute last one available, not just a late one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the final bus" typically functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a determiner phrase, identifying a specific bus as the last one of its kind or route. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the final bus" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase that denotes the last bus of a route, day or service. It's considered correct by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in News & Media, and to a lesser extent in Wiki and Science. When using this phrase, it's important to emphasize the concept of a last opportunity or the definitive end of a service. Remember that while similar to "the last bus", it carries a stronger connotation of finality. When writing consider the emphasis you wish to convey, the phrase is usually informative, and maintains a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the last bus

Interchangeable in most contexts, simply using 'last' instead of 'final'.

the concluding bus

Emphasizes the bus as the concluding part of a longer journey or series of buses.

the terminal bus

Highlights the bus's role as the one reaching the end of the line or route.

the ultimate bus

Indicates this is the last or most important bus in a series.

the last shuttle

Refers to a shuttle service instead of a standard bus, implying a shorter, more frequent service.

the evening bus

Specifies the time of day the bus operates, suggesting it's the last one for the evening.

the departing bus

Focuses on the action of the bus leaving, signifying it's the last one leaving.

the last ride

More general term, referring to any final transportation vehicle, not just a bus.

the last service

Replaces 'bus' with 'service', broadening the context to any kind of public transport.

the final stage

Abstract term that represents the bus journey as the last stage of a longer trip or process.

FAQs

How can I use "the final bus" in a sentence?

You can use "the final bus" to refer to the last bus of the day, as in, "I had to rush to catch "the final bus" home after the concert."

What is the difference between "the last bus" and "the final bus"?

While both phrases are similar, "the last bus" generally refers to the last bus on a schedule. ""the final bus"" can also imply the end of a journey or process involving multiple buses.

Can "the final bus" be used metaphorically?

Yes, ""the final bus"" can be used metaphorically to represent the last opportunity or stage in a process, similar to the idiom 'missing the boat'.

What are some alternatives to using "the final bus"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the last service" or "the terminal bus" if you want to be more specific about the type of transportation or the end of a route.