the penultimate lap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the penultimate lap' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the second-to-last stage in a sequence of events or a process. For example: "The runners approached the penultimate lap of the race, determined to put in their best effort for a strong finish".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The penultimate lap was a lot of fun.

The Guardian - Sport

He took the lead on the penultimate lap and won by three seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Moving into the penultimate lap, however, Favor Hamilton began to struggle.

The New York Times - Sports

He took third on the penultimate lap to win the championship by a point.

The Guardian - Sport

Clark still held all the cards, however, until a rubber oil pipe split on the penultimate lap.

The Guardian - Sport

Vettel, the 2010 and 2011 champion, received a 20-second penalty after the awards ceremony for drifting off the track to overtake Button on the penultimate lap.

The New York Times

He passed Alonso on the penultimate lap, and then passed Sebastien Buemi in the last corner of the last lap to finish seventh and score 6 points.

The New York Times - Sports

He will often wait until the penultimate lap to pounce, as he did in his dogfight with Loris Capirossi at this year's Italian Grand Prix on 4 June.

The Guardian - Sport

The moment of truth came at the start of the penultimate lap, when a large group suddenly caught up with her bunch.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile Vettel, who had an 18-second lead, did not ease up, setting the fastest time of the race on the penultimate lap.

The Guardian - Sport

Busch drafted and pushed Brad Keselowski on the penultimate lap at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, giving Keselowski protection as he passed the race leader Matt Kenseth on the high side of the track.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the penultimate lap" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency, especially when describing key moments just before the end of a race or competition.

Common error

Avoid using "the ultimate lap" when you mean "the penultimate lap". "Ultimate" refers to the final lap, while "penultimate" refers to the second-to-last lap. Using the wrong word can change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the penultimate lap" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. It identifies a specific stage in a race or competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the penultimate lap" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct English. It serves to pinpoint the second-to-last lap in a race, often highlighting a crucial event or turning point. Remember to use "the penultimate lap" to refer to the second-to-last lap, and not confuse it with "the ultimate lap", which refers to the very final lap. Knowing this distinction and using it accurately enhances the clarity and precision of your writing, particularly in sports reporting or analyses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the second to last lap

Replaces "penultimate" with a more direct, less formal synonym.

the next to last lap

Similar to "the second to last lap", offering an alternative phrasing.

the preceding final lap

Uses "preceding" to indicate the lap before the final one, suitable for formal contexts.

the lap before last

A more informal way of expressing the same concept.

the antepenultimate lap

Refers to the lap before the penultimate lap.

the lap immediately before the final one

A verbose but precise alternative.

the closing stage

Highlights the near-end phase rather than a specific lap.

the critical final stage

Emphasizes the importance of the lap before the end.

the decisive lap

Indicates that the lap is crucial to the outcome.

the final stretch

Refers to the end of the race, not necessarily a specific lap.

FAQs

How can I use "the penultimate lap" in a sentence?

You can use "the penultimate lap" to describe a crucial moment or event that occurs on the second-to-last lap of a race or competition. For example, "The driver made a daring overtake on "the penultimate lap", securing his position for the final stretch".

What is the difference between "the penultimate lap" and "the final lap"?

"The penultimate lap" refers to the second-to-last lap, while "the final lap" is the very last lap of a race or competition. They are distinct stages with different implications for the outcome.

What's a synonym for "the penultimate lap"?

A synonym for "the penultimate lap" is "the second to last lap". This alternative conveys the same meaning but in a more straightforward way.

Is it correct to say "the ultimate lap" instead of "the penultimate lap"?

No, it is incorrect. "Ultimate" means final, whereas "penultimate" means second to last. They have opposite meanings, so using "the ultimate lap" when you mean "the penultimate lap" would confuse your reader.