Learn the different meanings finally, at last and lastly. These connectors or conjunctions can be confusing.
Watch this short video to fix common mistakes. You’ll learn the meaning of lastly (the final item in a list), how finally can be used in the same way – or have another meaning (when something has taken a long time), and how we use at last to say we’re glad about something happening after a delay.
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Lastly, Finally and At last video script
So the process is discover, design, implement, and lastly, review. Any questions?
We use ‘lastly’ to introduce the final item in a list.
All right? You let that cook for five minutes.
You add the milk, the salt and pepper and lastly, the parsley. Got it? Err… One more time?
We can use ‘finally’ to introduce a final item in the same way.
Are there any more questions? No.
Then finally, I’d just like to thank everyone for coming.
We also use ‘finally’ when something has taken a long time, or there’s been a delay.
No buses. How long have we been waiting? About ten minutes, I think.
Oh look! I think one’s finally coming. Oh good.
When it’s something we’re glad about, we use ‘at last’ like this too, but not ‘lastly’.
No buses. A bus is coming at last.
So use ‘lastly’ and ‘finally’ for the final item in a list.
Use ‘finally’ and ‘at last’ when there’s a delay, or something has gone on for a long time.
Wow! Home at last. What a long trip!
Click here to see more vocabulary videos
Click here to download Fix it – our free checklist that will help you avoid common mistakes.