At last

[kachibibb]

Say, I am an alumni of ABC school and I am giving my speech to the current students. I first mention my life in the school many many years ago, my academic results, etc. And finally, I want to end with some encouragement to my students.


....At last, I hope all of you can have excellent results in your coming exams! Have a nice day!


Is "at last" correctly used here? The reason I am dubious is that as far as I know, "at last" is used to talk about "after so much difficulty, finally..." Surely, I do not mention any difficulty in my speech before the encouragement.

 

[emsr2d2]

Just use "Finally" at the start of that sentence. Don't use "can", and I'd change "have" to "get" or "achieve". Change "coming" to "forthcoming".

Finally, I hope you get/achieve excellent results in your forthcoming exams.

 

[Rover_KE]

Note: alumni is plural; you need alumnus (male) or alumna (female).

Delete the comma after Say. If you actually are one of the alumni of the school, 'Say' is wrong anyway.

 

[tedmc]

Last but not least/Before I conclude/In closing

 

[SoothingDave]

And plural female (like from an all-female school) is alumnae.

 

[kachibibb]

Can someone tell me the reason why "at last" is wrong?

 

[emsr2d2]

"At last" is more likely to be said as an expression of relief, perhaps after a period of frustration.

I was waiting for my friend for over an hour. When he finally turned up, I said "At last! Where the hell have you been?"

 

[kachibibb]

And one more question, why omit "can" after I hope?

I see some "hope" sentences are with "can" online.

 

[tedmc]

And one more question, why omit "can" after "I hope"?

I see some "hope" sentences are with "can" online.

It it more logical that one hopes for a reality (that somebody gets something) rather than a possibility (that somebody can get something).