the last mentioned

USAGE SUMMARY

"the last mentioned" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is typically used to refer back to a preceding statement, topic, or name. For example: "John, George, and Paul were all members of the Beatles. The last mentioned, Paul, was the bassist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The last mentioned is the Supreme Electoral Council, which is responsible for organizing and holding elections.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But also, in the last mentioned situation, such a claim is widely modified.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today's school only attends to the last mentioned.

European Journal of Futures Research

For the last mentioned, a new CPU-time efficient method, called Process Estimator, was developed.

Composite Structures

Take the last mentioned example of the previous paragraph: the mandatory wearing of electronic tagging devices.

SEP

Under the last mentioned aspect, the reduction of the environmental damages by lubricants will be discussed more in detail.

Tribology International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The last-mentioned group is considered the most divergent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lee's rendition of the last-mentioned title was the most popular recording of 1948, selling more than two million copies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The last-mentioned observance features torch dancing, flute playing, and other forms of musical and choral entertainment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His novels include Magnus (1973), Time in a Red Coat (1984), and Beside the Ocean of Time (1994); the last-mentioned was short-listed for the Booker Prize.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The last-mentioned preference of Brando's was true of him as an adolescent, too, or so his grandmother has said. As she put it, "Marlon always picked on the cross-eyed girls").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the last mentioned", ensure it clearly refers to the most recent item in a list or sequence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the last mentioned" when referring to items that are not explicitly listed or clearly sequential, as it can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the last mentioned" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating it is referring back to something previously stated. Ludwig examples show it clearly identifies a specific element from a prior list or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

14%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the last mentioned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to refer to a previously introduced element, as supported by Ludwig. It serves to maintain clarity and prevent repetition, fitting well in diverse contexts such as scientific articles, encyclopedic entries, and news reports. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it directly and clearly refers to the most recent item to avoid ambiguity. While "the last mentioned" works effectively, related phrases like "the aforementioned" or "the latter" may be more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the previously mentioned

Adds "previously" for emphasis, clarifying that the item was mentioned earlier.

the one mentioned last

Focuses on the order of mention, rather than just the fact of being mentioned.

the above-mentioned

More formal, often used in legal or official documents.

the aforementioned

Replaces "mentioned" with a more formal synonym, increasing the formality.

the item mentioned

Replaces "last" with item for greater clarity.

that mentioned earlier

Changes sentence structure slightly, emphasizing the timing of the mention.

as mentioned above

Explicitly indicates the reference point is earlier in the text.

the latter

A shorter, more direct way to refer to the second of two items previously discussed. Not suitable when more than two items are listed.

the subject mentioned

Replaces "last" with subject for more emphasis.

that which was mentioned

Formal phrasing that emphasizes the act of mentioning.

FAQs

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

Use "the last mentioned" to refer back to the most recently named item or concept in a list or series. For example: "We discussed cats, dogs and birds. The last mentioned, birds, are my favorite."

What's a more formal alternative to "the last mentioned"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "the aforementioned" or "the above-mentioned".

When is it inappropriate to use "the last mentioned"?

Avoid using "the last mentioned" when the reference is unclear or when there are more than two items and you need to refer to something other than the very last item listed; in such cases, use more specific language.

What is the difference between "the last mentioned" and "the latter"?

"The latter" refers specifically to the second of two items, while "the last mentioned" can refer to the most recent item in a list of three or more. If there are only two items, using "the latter" is appropriate.