the penultimate paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the penultimate paragraph" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the next-to-last paragraph in a piece of writing. For example, "In the penultimate paragraph of the essay, the author discusses the implications of their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Non-techies can skip to the penultimate paragraph.

The Guardian - Tech

The original linked to an out-of-date website for Maria Golia in the penultimate paragraph.

The Guardian

A minor amendment was made to the penultimate paragraph of this article on 22 March 2010.

The Guardian - Opinion

The penultimate paragraph is about the only section I can agree with.

The New York Times

This article has been amended to correct a typographical error in the penultimate paragraph.

The Guardian

> I couldn't agree with you more on the penultimate paragraph of your posting.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

We have extended the description of our very simple peak calling in the Methods section (penultimate paragraph of the section entitled "Illumina sequencing and data analysis") and added a sentence in the Results section (entitled "High resolution mapping of cenH3 reveals discrete high occupancy sites").

eLife

Consider that aspersion on my love of country in light of the book's penultimate paragraph: "America... remains the greatest nation on earth, the land of opportunity, possessed of a vitality and energy unlike those of any other nation.

The New York Times - Books

In the page-and-a-half-long penultimate paragraph of the novel, "the onion juice that draws tears" is mentioned in passing — one image in a long list of more memorable images: "the wall that had to be freshly whitewashed" and "the Poles in the exaltation of death" were among the ones I loved best.

The New York Times - Books

In its penultimate paragraph, the manifesto states: "Unfortunately at the time of writing I am in a great hurry and some of my best thoughts, actually many of them, have been. . .

The Washington Post

While the Journal rails against the extent to which the banking industry problem stem from monetary policy and Congressional meddling, in its penultimate paragraph, the Journal concludes that a real solution requires "a Congressional plan either for allowing large banks to fail or for breaking them up".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the penultimate paragraph" when you want to precisely refer to the second-to-last paragraph in a written document. This is particularly useful in academic papers, legal documents, or any formal writing where clarity is crucial.

Common error

Avoid confusing "penultimate" (second to last) with "ultimate" (last or final). Using "ultimate paragraph" when you mean the second to last will confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the penultimate paragraph" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, specifying the location or reference point within a text. It identifies a particular paragraph based on its position relative to the end of the document. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the penultimate paragraph" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to the second-to-last paragraph in a text. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers various examples across News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "the second to last paragraph" exist, "the penultimate paragraph" offers a concise and precise way to direct readers to a specific section, particularly in formal writing. Just remember not to confuse "penultimate" with "ultimate"! Its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and usefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the second to last paragraph

This alternative is a more descriptive phrasing, explicitly stating "second to last" instead of using "penultimate".

the next to last paragraph

Replaces "penultimate" with "next to last", providing a more common synonym while retaining the same meaning.

the paragraph before the last

This alternative provides a more verbose description of the paragraph's position.

the second from end paragraph

Uses the phrase "second from end" instead of penultimate.

the paragraph immediately before the final one

Provides a detailed and unambiguous description of the paragraph's placement.

the preceding paragraph before the conclusion

Specifies that the paragraph comes before the conclusion, adding context.

the antepenultimate paragraph

Uses "antepenultimate" which technically means third to last, but is sometimes confused or used loosely to mean second to last.

the second concluding paragraph

This alternative implies the last paragraph is a concluding one and is also a concluding one.

the section before the last one

This alternative shifts the focus from paragraph to section.

the final section but one

Uses British English phrasing and refers to a section instead of a paragraph.

FAQs

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

You can use "the penultimate paragraph" to direct your reader's attention to a specific section of a text. For example, "The key findings are summarized in "the penultimate paragraph"."

What does "penultimate" actually mean?

"Penultimate" means "second to last". It comes from the Latin words "paene" (almost) and "ultimus" (last). Therefore, "the penultimate paragraph" is the paragraph that comes directly before the last one.

Is it correct to say "antepenultimate paragraph" when I mean the second to last paragraph?

While "antepenultimate" technically means "third to last", it's sometimes used loosely to mean "second to last". However, to avoid ambiguity, it's best to use "the penultimate paragraph" for the second to last paragraph.

What are some alternatives to using "the penultimate paragraph" in my writing?

Some alternatives include "the second to last paragraph", "the next to last paragraph", or "the paragraph before the last". All are acceptable depending on the context and desired level of formality.