the second to last lap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the second to last lap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to racing or competitions to indicate the lap before the final one. Example: "As the racers approached the second to last lap, the tension in the crowd grew palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He sat in third or fourth for most of the race before moving to the front on the third to last lap.

Independent

"In some parts of the race, it was a little bit unfair," said Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic, who was among the leaders throughout the race until he fell on the second-to-last lap.

The New York Times

In the previous semifinal, Ohno's teammate, Smith made a surging pass on Kim in the second-to-last lap and then stayed ahead to finish first to qualify for the final.

The New York Times - Sports

"A very tight race and Coulthard really pushed from the first to the last lap.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were under pressure from the first to the last lap and could not afford to slip," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

The relative contribution of the factors was closely related to the task constraints, especially fatigue, as the major changes occurred from the first to the last lap.

BioMed Research International

It was the second and last lap around the grass track.

Huffington Post

A few days later she rode in medal position during the National Road Race Championships but had to abandon the race due to a broken derailleur in the second last lap.

Wikipedia

Facebook Twitter Pinterest 8.18pm BST They begin the second last lap, with the three upstarts still in front, and all of the main sprinters starting to position themselves at the front of the pursuers.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a typical indoor 1500m with a bit of pushing and elbowing so I was happy to get out in front on the second last lap and make my kick count".

BBC

Also, the velocities that account for the major contribution to the overall performance of the 200 m front crawl were the first and last lap velocities, suggesting two important stages during this particular event.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events in a race or competition, use "the second to last lap" to clearly indicate the lap immediately before the final one. This helps to build tension and excitement as the climax approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "penultimate" if your audience is unfamiliar with the term. While it means "second to last", it can be easily confused with other words, leading to miscommunication. Stick with "the second to last lap" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the second to last lap" functions as a descriptive ordinal phrase, specifying a particular lap in a sequence, especially in races or competitions. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is grammatically sound and serves to pinpoint a specific moment before the conclusion of an event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the second to last lap" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the lap immediately preceding the final lap in a race or competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the phrase functions as a descriptive element to build anticipation, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While not overly common, understanding its meaning and usage is crucial for clarity, and it can be effectively replaced by synonyms like "the penultimate lap" to maintain variety in writing. It is most commonly found in news and sports reporting, and it enhances clarity when referencing stages just before the end.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The penultimate lap

Uses a single word, "penultimate", to convey the same meaning, offering a more concise alternative.

The next to last lap

Rephrases using "next to last", which is a more direct and commonly understood way of expressing the concept.

The before last lap

A less common but understandable variation using "before last" to indicate the lap preceding the final one.

The lap immediately preceding the final lap

Provides a more descriptive and explicit explanation, suitable for formal contexts.

The last lap but one

A British English variation that means the same as "the second to last".

The preceding final lap

Uses "preceding" to indicate the lap that comes before the final one.

The one before the last lap

Emphasizes the position relative to the last lap.

The antipenultimate lap

Uses a more technical term, "antepenultimate", though it is less commonly used and might not be as widely understood.

The runner-up lap

More figurative, as if something else came in second place and the final lap as the actual "winner".

The near final lap

Simply swaps second with near, which minimizes the semantic transformation but maximizes the difference in word choice and structure.

FAQs

What does "the second to last lap" mean?

The phrase "the second to last lap" refers to the lap that comes immediately before the final lap in a race or competition.

What is another way to say "the second to last lap"?

You can use alternatives like "the penultimate lap" or "the next to last lap" to convey the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "the second from last lap"?

While understandable, "the second from last lap" is less common and slightly awkward. "The second to last lap" is generally preferred.

In what contexts is "the second to last lap" typically used?

This phrase is most commonly used in the context of races, competitions, or any sequence of events where it's necessary to refer to the item or stage immediately before the final one.