Last vs We can continue

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Last

Top 1,000 (very common)A1determiner

We can continue

Top 1,000 (very common)
 LastWe can continue
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //lɑːst//🇺🇸 //læst//🇬🇧 //wiː kən kənˈtɪn.juː//🇺🇸 //wi kən kənˈtɪnju//
MeaningThe final part or thing.We can keep going.
ExampleThis is the last cookie on the plate.After the break, we can continue with the presentation.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelA1-
Part of speechdeterminer
Collocationslast minute, last resort, last chancecontinue the conversation, continue the work, continue a journey, continue a tradition, continue doing something
Antonymsfirst-
Common mistakesConfusing 'last' with 'latest' - 'last' refers to the end, while 'latest' refers to the most recent., Using 'last' when describing time periods instead of 'final'., Misplacing 'last' when it should come before the noun, like 'the last day' instead of 'day last'.Using 'can' instead of 'could' for past ability., Confusing 'continue' with 'go on' in complex sentences., Inserting unnecessary words like 'to' before 'continue'.
Usage notesUse 'last' to describe something that comes at the end. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.Commonly used to express the idea of carrying on with an activity. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

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Last
We can continue

Frequently asked questions: Last vs We can continue

What's the difference between Last and We can continue?

Last: The final part or thing. We can continue: We can keep going.

Can you show an example of each?

Last: This is the last cookie on the plate. We can continue: After the break, we can continue with the presentation.

Can I use Last and We can continue interchangeably?

Not always. Last and We can continue are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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