How Do Editors Advise Using 'Last But Not The Least' In Copy?

2025-08-27 12:20:33 118

4 Answers

Dylan
Dylan
2025-08-29 09:49:55
Lately I’ve trained myself to instinctively correct 'last but not the least' in drafts — it’s a slip many make. Short and practical: don’t use that form. Editors want the standard 'last but not least' if you must keep the idiom, but even that is often avoidable.

Quick rewrite trick I use: replace it with 'finally,' 'most importantly,' or restructure so the final item is inherently emphasized. For example, change 'Last but not the least, the team launched the feature' to 'Most importantly, the team launched the feature' or simply 'The team launched the feature, which was the most important milestone.' That keeps copy tight and less clichéd, which readers notice more than we think.
Elise
Elise
2025-08-30 12:35:32
I've seen that phrase pop up in so many drafts that I almost have muscle memory for the correction. Editors generally advise against 'last but not the least' because it's not the standard idiom — the correct form is 'last but not least.' Beyond fixing the wording, they stress using it only when it genuinely adds emphasis. In tight copy, it's often filler.

Practical tips I follow: 1) Replace it with 'finally' or 'most importantly' if you need formality; 2) Drop it and let the final item stand alone if it’s already strong; 3) If keeping the idiom, add a comma after it and make sure the sentence flows. Example: instead of writing 'Last but not the least, remember to save your work', write 'Most importantly, remember to save your work' or just 'Remember to save your work.' Small changes like that make copy feel deliberate rather than conversational clinging.
Addison
Addison
2025-08-31 12:18:34
When I edit other people’s copy I still chuckle at how often 'last but not the least' sneaks in like a misplaced prop. I’ll be frank: editors usually flag it because it’s nonstandard or clumsy. The idiom people mean is 'last but not least' — and even that gets tired fast. If you do use it, make sure it actually adds emphasis rather than padding; it’s best reserved for a conversational tone, like blog posts or friendly newsletters.

My go-to move is to consider whether the phrase is necessary at all. Often you can cut it and rewrite the sentence to be stronger: swap in 'finally', 'most importantly', or restructure so the notable item stands on its own. Also watch punctuation — most writers put a comma after 'last but not least,' then follow with the final point. In formal documentation or tight marketing copy, prefer clarity and brevity over the idiom.

If you want a quick editor-approved checklist: use 'last but not least' (not 'least'), choose alternatives for formal copy, avoid repetition, and keep the phrase sparingly. I’ll usually suggest a rewrite example rather than letting the phrase stay, because a cleaner sentence often does the job better and sounds less tired.
Mila
Mila
2025-09-01 11:06:33
My approach to language gets a little pedantic sometimes, so I dug into why editors fuss over 'last but not the least.' Historically the idiom emerged as 'last but not least' to highlight that the final item in a list is not of lesser importance. The insertion of 'the' before 'least' is incorrect and creates a clunky rhythm, which is why editorial style guides tend to flag it. Beyond the grammar nitpick, many editors advise against the idiom entirely in formal contexts because idioms can sound lazy or filler-ish.

When I polish sentences, I think about emphasis and parallelism: does the phrase disrupt the list's balance? If yes, I rework the list so the last element is inherently prominent. For example, swapping 'Last but not least, our lead designer will present the mockups' with 'Our lead designer will present the mockups last; this is the most crucial part' maintains emphasis without the cliché. In marketing or friendly emails the idiom survives, but sparingly — and always corrected to the standard 'last but not least.' Editors love alternatives that are precise, short, and purposeful.
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