until the very last

USAGE SUMMARY

"until the very last" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase implies that something persists or continues up until the very end. For example: "I stayed up studying until the very last minute before the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't wait until the very last day.

Columbia University

She painted until the very last years of her life.

The New York Times

He didn't stop until the very last minute.

The Guardian - Arts

He contended until the very last hole before losing to Payne Stewart's birdie.

Independent

His real name, John, was not revealed until the very last scene of the series.

The New York Times

Up until the very last minute Omar still wanted me to change my mind.

Independent

This situation of isolation from other prisoners lasted until the very last minute".

The Guardian

Until the very last moment, she believed that Mr. Obama would go along.

The New York Times

He also held firm for his original demands until the very last moment.

The Economist

It was not until the very last votes that Mr. Boehner cleared the majority he needed.

The New York Times

"The tyres keep results up in the air until the very last metres of the race.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until the very last" to emphasize the duration or persistence of an action or state right up to its definitive end. It adds drama and finality to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "until the very last" in contexts where a simple "until the end" would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for situations where emphasis on the finality or duration is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until the very last" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the duration or endpoint of an action or state. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, emphasizing continuation to the final moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until the very last" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions to emphasize the endpoint of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best employed when highlighting the finality or prolonged duration of an event. Related phrases such as "up to the very end" and "until the bitter end" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended emphasis. Overusing the phrase in simple scenarios should be avoided to maintain its impact. It's generally considered neutral in tone and appropriate for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up to the very end

Replaces "last" with "end", emphasizing the terminal point of an event or duration.

until the final moment

Substitutes "last" with "final moment", highlighting a specific instant in time.

until the bitter end

Adds a connotation of facing hardship or adversity until the conclusion.

until the last possible second

Specifies that the action continues as close to the end as physically or logically possible.

until the very last gasp

Suggests a struggle or effort continuing until the very limit of one's ability or resources.

right up to the deadline

Focuses on a specific type of ending, namely a deadline or imposed limit.

until the clock runs out

Emphasizes the end of time or an allotted timeframe.

until the very end of the line

Implies a progression or journey reaching its absolute termination.

until the curtain falls

Uses a theatrical metaphor to indicate the conclusion of an event or performance.

until the game is over

Employs a sports analogy to suggest the persistence continues until the match finishes.

FAQs

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

Use "until the very last" to emphasize that something continues right up to the end. For example, "The team fought "until the very last" minute of the game".

What is a more concise alternative to "until the very last"?

Depending on the context, you could use simpler phrases like "until the end" or "up to the end".

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

Adding "very" emphasizes the finality and duration, suggesting that something persisted right up to the ultimate moment. "Until the last" is less emphatic. Consider the contexts, if emphasis is desired then "until the very last" would be appropriated, otherwise just use "until the last".

Is it redundant to say "until the very last minute"?

While "until the last minute" is perfectly acceptable, "until the very last minute" amplifies the idea of something happening as close to the deadline as possible. The usage depends on the level of emphasis you wish to convey. If you feel you are overemphasizing, consider just using "until the last minute" instead.