the last bus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the last bus" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the final bus of the day, or the bus that is scheduled to arrive at a location after all of the other buses have already come and gone. Example: "I need to catch the last bus home, or I'll have to walk for miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Qiu Feng, an editorial writer, said in The Beijing News last month that local governments were "clinging to the mentality of catching the last bus, using even cruder means to organize demolition and relocation on an even greater scale".

The New York Times

Corin rode on the last bus.

The New Yorker

There'd be a taxi or the last bus home, to his flat or hers.

The New Yorker

"My mother left on the last bus to Bosnia," Lamija told me.

The New Yorker

Late at night, the C.T.A. has cut back the last bus on many routes.

The New York Times

The train was an hour late, and of course the last bus had already left.

The New Yorker

A serial killer is on the loose, targeting young, vulnerable women who have missed the last bus home.

Independent

"When does the last bus go, did you say?" he said.

The New Yorker

It's the last bus, the only way we'll make the ferry, and Bertie won't wait.

The Guardian - Travel

The last bus from Greta Bridge to Barnard Castle leaves at 16.39.

The Guardian - Travel

At least five gunmen, apparently using motorcycles, opened fire on the last bus from several directions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public transport, specify the route number or destination alongside "the last bus" to provide clarity for readers.

Common error

Avoid assuming "the last bus" always departs at the same time; always verify the schedule as timings can vary by day, season, or special events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the last bus" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase clearly identifies a specific entity, namely the final bus of the day.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the last bus" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the final bus service available, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its register is generally neutral. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying route details. Related phrases include "the final bus" and "the latest bus", though nuances exist. Remember to verify schedules to avoid missing this crucial transport link.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the final bus

Replaces "last" with a synonym emphasizing the concluding nature.

the concluding bus

Substitutes "last" with a more formal term for ending.

the latest bus

Indicates the most recent bus service available.

the last shuttle

Uses "shuttle" as a synonym for bus, referring to a specific transport service.

the final ride

Replaces "bus" with "ride", focusing on the act of transportation.

the last service

Emphasizes that it is the last transportation service of the day.

the last public transport

More general term indicating the final available public transport option.

the last route

Focuses on it being the last available transport route.

the last trip

Replaces "bus" with "trip", focusing on the journey aspect.

the last vehicle

More general term indicating the last vehicle available for transportation.

FAQs

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

You can use "the last bus" to describe the final bus of the day, as in, "I need to catch "the last bus" home or I'll be stranded".

What's a synonym for "the last bus"?

A synonym for "the last bus" could be "the final bus", which also refers to the last bus available on a route.

Is it correct to say "the latest bus" instead of "the last bus"?

While "the latest bus" implies the most recent bus, "the last bus" specifically refers to the final bus scheduled for the day. The terms are not perfectly interchangeable.

What should I do if I miss "the last bus"?

If you miss "the last bus", consider alternative transport options such as taxis, ride-sharing services, or checking for night buses on different routes.