I would classify "last" as an ordinal numeral: first, second,
third...last. Different grammars differ in where they draw the lines
for the determiners, but ordinal numbers are often in that group
(sometimes called postdeterminers since they come after the core
determiners like "a," "the," "this," "his" and so on). It has an
identifying function. The one we are talking about (the one in
reference) is the last one.
   I don't think it has negative polarity, just the sense that in the
continuing list of "grill brushes" this is the final one. You can
negate it: this is not the last grill brush you will ever need."
   Maybe "ever" doesn't extend as much as never because "forever" is an
option (whereas "fornever" is not). "You will need the grill brush
forever."

Craig>


The last grill brush you will ever need.
>
> Is this a sentence at all?  To assume an understood "This is" or
> "It is" won't account for it as they have very different meaning
> possible references.  One almost demands that the brush be
> in the vicinity for reference.  The other might well reference a
> brush that has yet to be created.
>
> I'd take "ever" as a simple adverb with the caveat that it  must
> precede the verb it modifies.  Perhaps it also needs something such
> as "will" in front of it.
>
> The understood "that" not stated in the clause is a relative pronoun
> that serves as the direct object of "will need."
>
> Is "last" anything more than a simple adjective?  Does it function any
> differently than, say, "ultimate"?
>
> tj
>
>
>
> On Thursday 12/23/2010 at 7:45 am, Scott Lavitt   wrote:
>> Happy holidays all.
>>
>> I've been a member of this listserve for years and occasionally seek
>> your collective opinion. Question: how does one parse the following?:
>>
>> The last grill brush you will ever need.
>>
>> I could see this as an independent clause, with "you" as the subj. and
>> "The last grill brush" as the DO, but that doesn't seem right. Seems
>> there is an implied "It is," making the above a noun phrase, and
>> therefore not an independent clause. Thoughts?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Scott Lavitt
>>
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