Last vs the Last
‘Last’ and ‘the Last’ are two types of expressions that are often confused due to the appeared similarity in their senses. Strictly speaking there are some differences between last and the last.
The word ‘last’ has the sense of something that comes towards the end of a series or events. On the other hand the word ‘the last’ refers to something that comes really and particularly at the end of a series or events. This is the main difference between the two expressions, namely, last and the last.
Observe the two sentences
1. He comes last in terms of rankings.
2. He is the last to get the job of superintendent.
In the first sentence the use of the word ‘last’ gives the meaning of ‘coming towards the end’. The sentence only means ‘He comes towards the end in terms of rankings. On the other hand in the second sentence the use of the expression ‘the last’ gives the meaning of ‘particular at the end’. The sentence gives the meaning of ‘he is particularly at the end of the list of persons who were given the job of superintendent.’ This is an important difference between the two expressions, namely, last and the last.
It is interesting to note that the word ‘last’ is often followed by the prepositions ‘in’, ‘of’ and occasionally ‘to’. On the other hand the expression ‘the last’ is followed by the prepositions ‘of’’, ‘to’ and occasionally by ‘in’. Observe the sentences
1. He is the last to speak in favor of Francis.
2. He is the last of the Mughal emperors to rule over Agra.
The word ‘last’ sometimes gives the sense of ‘previous’ as in the sentence ‘the problem was discussed in our last meeting’. In this sentence the word ‘last’ refers to the meeting that was conducted just before the present one.