the last one

USAGE SUMMARY

"the last one" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a sentence that compares two or more things, with the speaker or writer emphasizing the last of those things. For example: "Let's try three different flavors of ice cream - chocolate, vanilla, and the last one, strawberry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last one is blank.

The New York Times - Sports

(The last one is a stretch).

The New Yorker

What was the last one all about?

Independent

(The last one isn't a guess).

The New Yorker

(O.K., we made the last one up).

The New York Times

(I made the last one up).

The New York Times

It was the last one I took.

The New York Times

The last one was $2.00.

Yale University

$.80 was the last one.

Yale University

The last one closed in 1996.

BBC

And the last one.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the last one", ensure the context clearly establishes what series or group is being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your reader understands which item you're referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "the last one" without a clear antecedent. If the reader doesn't know what 'one' refers to, the sentence becomes confusing. Always ensure the item or group has been explicitly mentioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the last one" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically acting as a noun phrase referring to the concluding item within a previously mentioned series or group. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

13%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the last one" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to the concluding item in a series or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, from news and media to academic writing and general conversation. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context makes clear what 'one' refers to. Consider alternatives like "the final item" or "the concluding one" for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the final item

Replaces "one" with a more formal term, "item".

the concluding one

Substitutes "last" with "concluding", emphasizing the sense of completion.

the last example

Specifies that "one" refers to an example, providing more context.

the latest one

Focuses on recency rather than finality, implying it's the most recent in a series.

the final instance

Replaces "one" with "instance", offering a slightly more formal tone.

the ultimate one

Highlights the definitive or most significant item.

the remaining one

Implies that all others have been removed or considered, leaving this as the final choice.

the last piece

Emphasizes the idea that the item is a component of a larger whole.

the bottom one

Suggests a physical or hierarchical arrangement where the last one is at the bottom.

the tail end

Uses an idiomatic expression to refer to the end of something.

FAQs

How to use "the last one" in a sentence?

Use "the last one" to refer to the final item in a series or group you have already mentioned. For example, "We tried chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream; "the last one" was my favorite."

What can I say instead of "the last one"?

You can use alternatives like "the final item", "the concluding one", or "the latest one" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "the last one" or "the last thing"?

Both "the last one" and "the last thing" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The last one" usually refers to the final item in a specific set, while "the last thing" refers to something you least want to happen or do.

What's the difference between "the last one" and "the final one"?

The phrases "the last one" and "the final one" are largely interchangeable, but "the final one" may carry a slightly more formal or definitive tone, suggesting an end or conclusion.