last*/*/*/

[lɑːst] grammar word I

summary:

Last can be: ■ a determiner: I wasn't here last time. ■ an adjective: I ate the last piece of cake. ♦ I was last in the race. ■ a pronoun: Their new CD is even better than the last. ■ an adverb: I put my shoes on last. ■ a noun: I drank up the last of the wine.

1) happening, coming, or ending most recently

I don't agree with that last comment.[/ex]

During the last hour the storms have been getting worse.[/ex]

I last saw her three years ago.[/ex]

The last time we met, you were moving to Greenwich.[/ex]

How did you boys sleep last night?[/ex]

Last year the company made a profit of £350 million.[/ex]

We went to the play the night before last (= two nights ago).[/ex]

2) happening or coming at the end, after all the others

Fry the onions until crisp, and add them last.[/ex]

That's the last time I'm ever going out with him.[/ex]

The last of the guests had arrived.[/ex]

Baker finished next to last (= one before the last) in the 1500 metres.[/ex]

Janice was the last to leave.[/ex]

3) remaining after all the rest have gone

the last book left on the shelf[/ex]

Who wants the last of the ice cream?[/ex]

He is the last great writer of his generation.[/ex]

4) used for emphasizing that someone or something is not at all likely, suitable, or wanted

Hurting you is the last thing I'd want to do.[/ex]

I'm the last person you should be asking for advice.[/ex]

•

at the lastmoment/minute — when it is almost too late[/ex]

At the last minute she decided not to come after all.[/ex]

at ( long ) last — used for saying that something that you have been waiting for finally happens[/ex]

I'm so glad to meet you at last.[/ex]

have the last word — 1) to win an argument by making the last statement; 2) to make the final decision about something[/ex]

The president has the last word.[/ex]

See:

last-minute,

resort I

II

verb

last */*/*/[lɑːst]

1) [I] to continue happening for a particular period, or until a particular time

The game lasts 80 minutes.[/ex]

The conference will last for two weeks.[/ex]

The party lasted until the early morning.[/ex]

2) [I/T] to continue to be available, or to be enough for what people need

The water won't last long.[/ex]

Thirty pounds usually lasted him about a week.[/ex]

3) [I] to continue in a good state without changing or failing

I hope the good weather will last.[/ex]

These cars are built to last.[/ex]