the very last thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"the very last thing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the ultimate item or desired result of a process. For example: "Getting into medical school was my dream, and achieving that goal was the very last thing I needed to do to make my dream a reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Lifestyle

TV & Radio

Sport

Books

Business

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the very last thing Peckinpah shot?

The Guardian - Film

The very last thing you notice is the generous bust.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That, of course, was the very last thing we saw.

The Guardian

"The very last thing is, just, I'm a prisoner.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That is the very last thing we want to be teaching women and girls".

The New York Times

What's the very last thing you would want to do with it?

The Guardian

They said that it was the very last thing you want.

The Guardian - Film

Snowden was eventually granted temporary asylum in Russia, the very last thing the Americans wanted.

The Guardian - Books

It is probably the very last thing that Pope Benedict needs at a time of scandal.

The Guardian

Therefore, it's the very last thing you would share with anybody".

The New York Times

The very last thing the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wants is another pointless conflict.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very last thing" to emphasize a strong aversion or the ultimate limit in a sequence of events or actions. For instance, "After the earthquake, the very last thing they needed was rain."

Common error

Avoid using "the very last thing" when a simple "last thing" will suffice. Overusing the intensifier can weaken its impact. Reserve it for situations where you want to express the strongest possible disinclination or finality.

Linguistic Context

The very last thing functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object, emphasizing the extreme end of a spectrum or the least desired outcome. It signifies a strong sense of finality or aversion, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Film

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

TV & Radio

3%

Sport

3%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very last thing" is a commonly used phrase to express a strong aversion, ultimate limit, or least desired outcome. As Ludwig AI highlights, it functions grammatically as a noun phrase and maintains a neutral register, finding frequent use in news and media contexts. When writing, use "the very last thing" to emphasize negation or finality, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the absolute last thing

Emphasizes the finality and lack of desire more strongly than the original phrase.

the last possible thing

Highlights the lack of possibility or feasibility in doing or considering something.

the very thing I wanted to avoid

Highlights a sense of irony or unwanted outcome.

the least likely thing

Focuses on the improbability of something occurring or being considered.

the ultimate thing I want to avoid

Directly states the intention to avoid something, adding a personal perspective.

the final straw

Implies that something is the last in a series of negative events or actions.

the last thing on my mind

Indicates something is not being considered or thought about.

the least of my concerns

Indicates something is not a priority or important issue.

the bottom of my list

Specifies that something is the lowest priority.

the remotest possibility

Emphasizes how unlikely it is

FAQs

How can I use "the very last thing" in a sentence?

Use "the very last thing" to emphasize the ultimate limit, desire, or outcome. For example, "The very last thing I want is to cause any trouble" expresses a strong desire to avoid causing trouble.

What is a similar phrase to "the very last thing"?

Similar phrases include "the absolute last thing", "the last possible thing", or "the least likely thing", which all convey a sense of strong aversion or finality.

Is there a more formal alternative to "the very last thing"?

While "the very last thing" is acceptable in most contexts, a more formal alternative might be "the least desirable outcome" or "the utmost concern", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "the last thing" and "the very last thing"?

While both phrases indicate finality or a lack of desire, "the very last thing" adds extra emphasis. Use "the very last thing" to highlight the strongest possible aversion or the ultimate conclusion.