the last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the last' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is the most recent or most recent in order, time, or location. For example: "This was the last time I ever saw him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the last minute.

The New York Times

Nor the  last, perhaps".

Independent

"You're the last one".

The New York Times

The last ten years?

The New York Times

That's the last sentence?

The New York Times - Books

The last out.

The New Yorker

The last stand.

The New Yorker

The last O.S.C.E.

The New York Times

like the last debate.

The New York Times

The last were psychological.

The New Yorker

and the last.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the last" to clearly indicate the final item in a sequence or the most recent occurrence, ensuring clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the last" when the context could imply either 'final' or 'most recent', leading to ambiguity. Instead, clarify with phrases like "the final item" or "the most recent update".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the last" primarily functions as a determiner followed by an adjective. It modifies a noun to specify the final item in a series or the most recent occurrence. Ludwig provides examples where "the last" is used to indicate finality, such as "the last sentence" or "the last hope".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

22%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the last" functions as a determiner and adjective, primarily used to denote the final item in a sequence or the most recent event. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across numerous contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity when using "the last" to avoid ambiguity between 'final' and 'most recent'. Alternatives like ""the final"" or ""the most recent"" can provide greater precision where needed. "The last" is a common and useful phrase for specifying position or timing in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the final

Focuses on being the concluding element, emphasizing completion.

the latest

Highlights the most recent occurrence or version.

the most recent

Directly indicates the nearest in time to the present.

the ultimate

Emphasizes the highest degree or most extreme instance.

the concluding

Implies the act of bringing something to an end.

the preceding

Refers to the one immediately before the current item or event.

the remaining

Indicates what is left or still present out of a larger group.

the terminal

Highlights the point where something ends or concludes.

the endmost

Stresses being at the very end of something.

the hindmost

Emphasizes the position at the back or rear.

FAQs

How can I use "the last" in a sentence?

You can use "the last" to refer to the final item in a series, such as "That was "the last piece of cake"" or to indicate the most recent occurrence, like "The last time I saw him, he was living in New York".

What are some alternatives to using "the last"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "the last" include phrases like "the final", "the latest", or "the most recent".

Is it correct to say "the lastly"?

No, "the lastly" is not grammatically correct. The adverbial form is simply "lastly". Use "lastly" to introduce the final point in a series.

What's the difference between "the last" and "at last"?

"The last" refers to the final item or most recent occurrence in a sequence. "At last", on the other hand, is an idiom expressing relief or satisfaction that something has finally happened, like "At last they arrived".