the last position

USAGE SUMMARY

"the last position" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the most recent job, the final item in a list, or an athlete's or other competitor's final placement in a sporting event. For example, "After a successful career in finance, he decided to take the last position he would ever have - helping out in his grandson's lemonade stand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was the last position you held in that?

Yale University

(O.K., the last position is probably a majority view).

The New York Times - Books

Mullen is the last position coach to instruct Smith for more than a single season.

The New York Times - Sports

The last position player represented by Boras to sign a significant extension was Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus in 2013.

The Washington Post

"This wave went through the whole bunch, from position 10 to the last position in the bunch.

The Guardian - Sport

"You have to figure out how a light has to be readjusted from the last position it was in.

The New York Times

We also argue that changing the mechanism so that the players compete for the last position implements the minimal transfer rule.

Journal of Economic Theory

The last position held was General Manager of Britannia's International Business Division, which was an independent profit centre accounting for 25% of the company's revenue.

Harvard University

If one subsequence is shorter than and a matching prefix of the other, the result is the index relative to sequence-1 beyond the last position tested.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The last position we wanted to be in was where we were actually considering doing something like that, because it meant that something's gone wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

(or whatever the last position setPos was given).

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the last position" to refer to a ranking, ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria for the ranking. For example, "The team finished in the last position due to a series of injuries."

Common error

Avoid assuming "the last position" always means negative performance. In some contexts, like a queue, being in the last position might mean you are next in line to be served.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the last position" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify a specific location or rank, typically at the end of a sequence, list, or competition. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

25%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the last position" is a versatile noun phrase commonly used to denote the final spot in a sequence, rank, or arrangement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent usage across various fields, including science, news, and academia. While it often implies the lowest rank, its meaning is highly context-dependent, as it can also simply refer to the final item in a series or the end of a queue. To avoid misinterpretations, ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria for the "last position". Alternatives include "the final spot", "the concluding rank", and "the ultimate placement". This phrase provides a clear and concise way to indicate finality or conclusion in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the final spot

Replaces "position" with "spot", emphasizing a specific location in a sequence or ranking.

the concluding rank

Substitutes "last" with "concluding" and "position" with "rank", highlighting the end of a ranked order.

the ultimate placement

Uses "ultimate" instead of "last" and "placement" in place of "position", suggesting a final and decisive arrangement.

the terminal role

Replaces "last position" with "terminal role", indicating the final function or duty in a series.

the bottommost station

Emphasizes the lowest or furthest point in a hierarchical structure by using "bottommost" and "station".

the rearmost location

Uses "rearmost location" instead of "last position", indicating the final physical point or area.

the lowest rung

Replaces "last position" with "lowest rung", suggesting the bottom step in a hierarchy.

the tail end

A more informal alternative to "the last position", emphasizing the very end of something.

the furthest extremity

Uses "furthest extremity" to indicate the most distant point, replacing the more neutral term "position".

the final stage

Replaces "position" with "stage", focusing on the end of a process or progression.

FAQs

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

You can use "the last position" to refer to the final spot in a ranking, a queue, or a sequence. For example, "Despite the setbacks, she maintained her focus until "the last position" in the race" or "He held "the last position" at the company before retiring".

What are some alternatives to "the last position"?

Alternatives to "the last position" include "the final spot", "the concluding rank", or "the ultimate placement", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to be in "the last position"?

Not necessarily. While "the last position" often implies the lowest rank or worst outcome, it can also refer to the final position in a queue or sequence, which may not have negative connotations. The meaning depends on context.

What does "the last position" refer to?

"The last position" generally refers to the final or concluding spot in a sequence, ranking, or arrangement. It indicates the end point or the lowest rank, but the specific meaning depends on the situation.