second to last

The to is absolutely required! Your listener will be very confused if you talk about the second last picture.

1. The second [to] last item on the list is pick up the parcel at the post office.

2. He is checking out the second-last picture.

Is 'to' still necessary in sentence 1? Is sentence 2 correct?

<<
Is 'to' still necessary in sentence 1? Yes. Is sentence 2 correct? No.

I am not familiar with the expression second-last.
Maybe it's British. I don't know.

>>
CJ

We use the expression 'next-to-last' quite often.

Hi,

I also use the expression 'last but one'.

Of course, there's also the rather formal 'penultimate'.

Clive

Hello Clive and CJ,

Canadian also said this in this thread



I don't know if it's a british or canadian thing?

As suggested by Clive, it's "the last but one picture of the puppy is so cute" preferably to "the puppy in the second to last picture is so cute".

May I ask for a quick check

how to choose which to use Mr Clive?

That's the last thing I wanted to see happen. I'm exaggerating. It's the next to last thing I wanted to see happen.
It's the last but one thing I wanted to see happen.
It's the second to last thing I wanted to see happen.