【问】 有一本书上说下列句子是错误的，应把其中的at last改为finally：
 × First we listened to the tape，then we answered some questions，and at last we wrotethe story.
 √ First we listened to the tape，then we answered some questions，and finally we wrotethe story.
 我们先听磁带录音，然后回答几个问题，最后把故事写出来。
 但是，Wood在English Prepositional Idioms中却说：at last=finally.这不是说at last与finally可以互换吗?
 【答】 at last和finally在意义和用法上有其共同的地方，也有其相异的地方。这里需要特别指出的，就是finally既可用于表示时间位置(相当于at last，in the end)，也可用于表示时间的先后顺序(如同first(ly)，second(ly)，third(ly)，next，then，last，lastly，这种用法的finally相当于to conclude)。
 1. Finally the “International” was sung. (Pollitt)
 最后唱了国际歌。
 2. What decision did you finally arrive at? (Voynich)
 你们最终做出了什么决定?
 3. It wasn’t until the end of the party that I was finally introduced to her.
 直到宴会快结束的时候，他们才终于把我介绍给她。
 4. Finally，I should like to wish you all a very interesting and enjoyable stay.
 最后，我祝愿你们大家在这里过得愉快而有意义。
 5. Finally，I’d like to thank you all for coming and wish you a safe journey home.
 最后，我要感谢诸位的光临，并祝大家回去一路顺风。
 6. Finally，I’d like to thank you again for your hospitality.
 最后，我要再次感谢你的款待。
 7. They finally found a small gold coin which was almost worthless. (New Concept Eng-lish，Book 2，L. 55)
 他们最后终于找到一枚小金币，但几乎没有什么价值。
 at last只能指时间位置，而不能指时间顺序，而且在语义上是指经过周折、等待、耽搁的“最后”、“终于”：
 1. At last man learnt how to make the right machine to carry him through the air.
 人类终于学会了制造可靠的机械带他们飞越天空。
 2. At last the confusion was cleared.
 这种混乱状态终于澄清了。
 3. At last she rose and went softly out of the room.(Voynich)
 她终于站了起来，轻轻地走出了房间。
 4. My son is home at last，(ELD)
 我儿子终于回家了。
 5. At long last he has paid us the money he owed. (Wood)
 经过很长时间他终于向我们付清了他所欠的钱。
 请做下面的英语试题：
 He failed the examination three times but________ he passed.
 A. at the end B. at finish C. at last D. at least(Nelson，250B)
 (参见in the end/at last)