[Grammar] in the last minute

[Kotfor]

I know that "at the last minute" is a set phrase. But I wonder whether 'in the last minute' is also possible? I've heard that it literally means during the last minute. Is that true?

In the last minute of the match he scored.

Or should it be: "On the last minute of the match he scored".

I am confused.

 

[Rover_KE]

It's more natural to say 'He scored in the last minute (of the match)'.

 

[Kotfor]

"On the last minute" doesn't work?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Not for me.

 

[emsr2d2]

In sport, it's "in the last minute of the game/match/half/quarter/race/chukka" etc. It would be the same for the last minute of a film, a conversation, a play etc. In fact, I can't think of any context in which "On the last minute" would be correct.

 

[tedmc]

not a teacher

'At the last minute' can also be used.

 

[emsr2d2]

It can, but that is more symbolic of the absolute closing seconds. "In the last minute" simply means "during the final 60 seconds".