GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜を最後に
Indicates that no further meeting or activity has occurred since a particular event marked the last one.
Examples
春に会ったのを最後に、彼とは連絡を取っていない。
I have not been in contact with him since we met for the last time in the spring.
Words used
あの映画を最後に、映画館へ行っていない。
I have not been to a movie theater since seeing that movie.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
を最後にfollows an event noun or nominalized clause and marks it as the last occasion before an activity ceased to recur. - Basic usage:
春に会ったのを最後に、彼とは連絡を取っていない。says that there has been no contact with him since the spring meeting.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Nominalizing a verb clause with の
- In
会ったのを最後に,のpackages the meeting as an event. An event represented by a noun takes the expression directly, as inあの映画を最後に.
- In
- A break so far versus a permanent decision
連絡を取っていないdescribes the lack of contact from the reference event up to now.を最後にalone does not express a resolve never to make contact again.