Second to last vs third last

Both 'second to last' and 'third last' are correct phrases, but they refer to different positions in a sequence. 'Second to last' indicates the position just before the last one, while 'third last' indicates the position two steps before the last one. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on whether you are referring to the position immediately before the last one or the one before that.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 142 views

Second to last

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to the position just before the last one in a sequence.

Use 'second to last' when you want to refer to the item or position that comes right before the last one in a sequence.

Examples:

The second to last chapter of the book was the most exciting.
She finished in second to last place in the race.

Show examples from the web [+]

Sep 5, 2023 ... Second to last command ... I have come across a pro Rhino user who had a second to the previous command repeater assigned to the tab key, does ...

Alternatives:

penultimate
second from the end
second to the end
second last

third last

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to the position two steps before the last one in a sequence.

Use 'third last' when you want to refer to the item or position that comes two steps before the last one in a sequence.

Examples:

The third last item on the list is out of stock.
She was the third last person to leave the party.

Show examples from the web [+]

The final was unfortunately compromised by a collision in the third last lap.
He was the third last son of the couple: he had three elder brothers and sisters (Alfredo, Elvira and Delia), and two younger sisters, Honorina and Luisa.
This will be the last trip of the shuttle Atlantis, and the third last flight of the space shuttle.
We are coming into the weekend of the Mexican Grand Prix, the nineteenth and third last round of the Formula 1 World Championship and with another match ball for Lewis Hamilton to win his fifth world title.
A big job in the third last leg I instead naivete, the marathon between Tichit and Kiffa.
The play also ends if the stock pile is reduced to two cards, and the player who took the third last card discards without knocking.
In the afternoon they explained two rules to me and that evening we went to play: the same evening two of our group won the tournament, while I was third last or second last.
Aida, the third last opera by Verdi, was performed for the first time in 1871, at the Cairo Opera House, and has since become one of the most represented titles of the composer.
When a player takes the third last card of the stock and discards without knocking, leaving two cards in the stock, the other player has one final chance to take the discard and knock.
But I came in third last year in all-city.
You came in third last year and you're asking for more money?
You came in third last year and you're asking for more money?
Among those gunning for the final podium we will most likely see the Russian Ilnur Zakarin, who was third last year here in Spain.This year he will be the captain for team Katusha - Alpecin.
Régis Delahaye gained one position in the overall standings: third last night, the driver of the MD Racing buggy isn't making any predictions, but taking it day by day along with his navigator Alex Vinoq.
The course is divided into three study periods: the first and the third last for 3 years, the second, 2 years.
He has done it three times so far: the first time in Rome in 2014, the second in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2015, the third last November 5, again in Rome.
After a first part of the race characterised by heavy rain and a mistake at the first pit stop, Davide takes over the reins of the car in the third last stint, when the rain is over, crossing the line at the foot of top ten.
Good news - SAC P.D. caught a homicide on Pacoima and Third last night.
After a tricky 2013 campaign in which the squad placed ninth in the championship, Williams surged up to third last year having racked up nine podiums finishes.
The hosts, 18-time Portuguese national champions, finished third last season to qualify for the Champions League play-offs. They also won the Portuguese Cup for the 16th time in their history.

Alternatives:

third from the end
third to the end
third to last

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