0
Wai_Wai Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

(Ver 2) Last, lastly, finally, eventually, end

Difficulty ratings: ***

I would like to know if I am correct in understanding the following:
[I have done a better comparison table for easy reading purpose. Please feel free to download a document at [url="http://hk.geocities.com/wai_wai_sir/my_eng_q/compare_last.doc"][/url]]

At (long) last
Last(adv)
Last of all
Last but not least
In the last place
Lastly
Finally
Eventually
In the end
At the end


To mean in the last point/place
- last(adv)
- last of all
- last but not least --> means the last point which is no less important than all others
- lastly
- finally
- in the last place


Refering to something happens after a long time,
At (long) last
Finally
Eventually
In the end

Refering to the point where something finishes, or reaches to the edge,
At the end (of something)


Other meanings which haven't mentioned in the above
Last(adv)
- the final person/thing/time etc. (eg I arrived last in the race. What a shame! I should end myself; I last saw him in July)


Thanks a lot.
  

Top answer

Overall, it looks reasonable to me, Wai Wai, but I'm not sure your meanings are as mutually exclusive as you would hope. ) 'In the last place' I think is used infrequently and somewhat facetiously to contrast with the more common 'in the first place', so it is hardly on a par of utility with your other words/phrases. And what about 'at the last'?

— Mister Micawber

  • Overall, it looks reasonable to me, Wai Wai, but I'm not sure your meanings are as mutually exclusive as you would hope.
  • ) 'In the last place' I think is used infrequently and somewhat facetiously to contrast with the more common 'in the first place', so it is hardly on a par of utility with your other words/phrases.
  • And what about 'at the last'?
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Overall, it looks reasonable to me, Wai Wai, but I'm not sure your meanings are as mutually exclusive as you would hope. (I tried your document file, but it gave me a headache-- maybe tomorrow.)

'In the last place' I think is used infrequently and somewhat facetiously to contrast with the more common 'in the first place', so it is hardly on a par of utility with your other words/phrases.
0
0
Yes, really a headache (so that's why it has a difficulty ratings of 5 stars!!).
It was a headache when I was making the table. >.<

Try your best to point out any mistake (or ambiguous areas).
Or add more information (if missing).

If you think it is not mutually exclusive, you may add something like:
- maybe Y, it is used sometimes etc.



&
0
0
I modified my document a bit at 29 Sept 6:58PM (Hong Kong Time - GMT +8).
0

Related Questions