previous / next

last ~ latest

This pair is so tricky that mistakes made in using it are found even in standard English dailies!

“Last” means ‘final, coming after all the others or all the rest in time or order; to continue, to remain in good condition even after using for some time; a piece of wood or metal in the shape of a human foot used by shoe makers’,

e.g.

He was the last to draw the lots.

____________________

“Latest” means ‘very recent, newest’.

Both these words, last and latest, could be used before nouns, but the question is which of these words is to be used in a particular context!  Therefore, remember to use ‘last’ when the reference is to something that is final and there is no implication of the like of it being done again, at least within the near future; for example, ‘In his last film the Super Star acted as a pop singer.’ (i.e. it was the Super Star’s final film and he did not act in any other film after that, probably because he wanted to retire).  And use ‘latest’ when the reference is to something that is recent and there is a possibility of the like of it being done again; for example, “In his latest film the Super Star acted as a pop singer.’ (i.e. it was his recent film and he might continue to act in other films, too).

Compare:

{Satyajit Ray was a great Indian Bengali film director; and ‘posthumously’ means ‘after the death’}

“Satyajit Ray’s latest film brought him much fame posthumously.”

Here the use of ‘latest’ is incorrect because it is evident from the word ‘posthumously’ that Mr. Satyajit Ray died, so there is no question of his shooting another film and that this particular film is his recent one.  Therefore, ‘last’ is the word required here.

“His last book has been so successful that the writer has started writing a sequel.”

Here the use of ‘last’ is incorrect because it is evident from the expression ‘…has started writing a sequel’ that this book is not the writer’s final one as he has started writing another one. Therefore, it is his recent book and the word required here is ‘latest’.

Common Errors:

1.

Has she heard what happened on last Sunday?  [wrong]

Has she heard what happened last Sunday?       [right]

2.

The last month was a bad month for my business.  [wrong]

Last month was a bad month for my business.        [right]

3.

As a dandy, he is very interested in the last fashions.     [wrong]

As a dandy, he is very interested in the latest fashions.  [right]

4.

At last but not least, I thank all the members for their cooperation.  [wrong]

Last but not least, I thank all the members for their cooperation.      [right]

5.

First the students listen to the teacher’s explanation, then they read the story, and at last they write the summary of the story.  [wrong]

First the students listen to the teacher’s explanation, then they read the story, and finally they write the summary of the story.  [right]

<<< Back to List L /  Next late ~ lately >>>

<<< Back to main page