Word Choice – Last Versus Latest
Rob’s question: “I just received an email saying that the attachment was the ‘last update on the project.’ As the project will continue for six more months is this correct?”
BizWritingTip response: “The last update” implies you are receiving the final update on the project. You will not be receiving anything else.
The sender should have said “the latest update.” “Latest” refers to “the most recent.”
Other Examples (Correct)
I read about the move in the last newsletter. (This would mean the newsletter was never published again.)
I read about the move in the latest newsletter. (This would refer to the newsletter most recently published.)