very last one

USAGE SUMMARY

'very last one' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is the ultimate or definitive item in a series or list of things. For example, "Let's make sure that this is definitely the very last one before we submit the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

If you haven't seen it, go ahead, check it out, it's there (the very last one on the bottom row).

TechCrunch

Other Flashman books were Flashman's Lady (1977), Flashman and the Mountain of Light (1990), and the very last one, Flashman on the March 20055), about the Abyssinia campaign of 1868.

The Guardian - Books

The performance on July 22 will be the very last one of "Filao".

The New York Times

This may well be my very last one.

The Guardian

"They will defend their power base and fight till the very last," one officer said.

The New York Times

"Like I said, I've played four Ashes series and we've never had a drink after a Test match until the very last one.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It looks like a good crowd tonight... .. It's gone nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening and I'm standing in an all but deserted car park on the northern edge of Leeds city centre, right by the inner ring road along which the very last ones to leave the office finally drive on home for the night.

The Guardian

--I will finally heed the siren call of that jumbo size Milk & Honey hand soap that has long teased me from its lofty perch on the shelf, and use it to refill the very last one-shot version that I will ever buy.

Huffington Post

"Should I try to get one of the very last ones, or should I hold out and see what...um, what happens?" These are the questions and issues that keep us, well, drifting.

Huffington Post

Several of those from my group, including the student who first asked if we were allowed to fight our way in order to try to receive Jesus, were seemingly the very last ones to receive the Eucharist at the entire celebration.

Huffington Post

Thinking about Vanessa George, the nursery worker in the child abuse case, the very last thing one would expect to feel at any part of the process is an impulse, however brief, to laugh.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very last one", ensure the context clearly establishes a series or sequence to which it refers.

Common error

Avoid using "very last one" when "last one" suffices. The added emphasis is unnecessary in routine contexts and can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival Phrase. The phrase "very last one" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by emphasizing its position as the ultimate or final item in a sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very last one" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize the final item in a sequence, according to Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjectival phrase, with its primary purpose being emphasis and specification. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, overuse in simple situations should be avoided. Alternatives like "final one" or "ultimate one" can be used depending on the desired level of emphasis. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, highlighting its relevance in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final one

Directly indicates the end of a series, less emphatic than 'very last one'.

absolute last one

Adds more intensity to the finality.

ultimate one

Emphasizes finality and conclusiveness, similar to 'very last one'.

the last of them

Refers to the final member of a group.

last remaining one

Highlights that no others are left, focusing on scarcity.

last possible one

Focuses on the limited availability and opportunity.

the concluding one

More formal, emphasizing the act of bringing something to a close.

the definitive one

Suggests that it is the most authoritative or complete item.

the very end

Focuses on the termination point itself, rather than an item.

the ultimate item

Highlights the item as being the best or most extreme example.

FAQs

How can I use "very last one" in a sentence?

You can use "very last one" to emphasize the final item or event in a series, such as, "This is the "very last one", so make it count."

What's a synonym for "very last one"?

Alternatives include "final one", "ultimate one", or "last remaining one", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "very" before "last one"?

No, "very" adds emphasis. "Last one" is often sufficient unless you want to stress the finality.

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

"Very last one" emphasizes that it is definitively the final item, while "last one" simply indicates the final item without additional emphasis.