a relatively late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs or is produced later than expected or compared to others in a specific context. Example: "The research findings were published in a relatively late edition of the journal, which affected their visibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mitrovic had a relatively late start to his career.

Princeton University

But modern capitalism is a relatively late arrival.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was a relatively late adopter, for a journalist.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vernacular Scriptures made a relatively late appearance in Italy.

Britannica

That trip ended with a relatively late Sunday start.

The Washington Post

The mouth with this point should therefore be a relatively late feature at Chavin.

University of California, Berkeley

But the model which dominates in much of evangelical Protestantism today is a relatively late arrival.

The Guardian - Opinion

The technique of rubbing began to be practiced in the West at a relatively late date.

Britannica

Unlike democracy, "liberalism" is a relatively late addition to our political lexicon.

The Guardian

The evidence within Baltic-Finnic points to a relatively late, post-Proto-Baltic-Finnic origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cloisonné enamelling as an overall decoration of metal vessels was a relatively late import.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relatively late", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what is considered 'on time' or 'early'. This helps the reader understand the degree of lateness being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively late" when the delay is significant or critical. In such cases, stronger terms like "considerably delayed" or "severely overdue" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively late" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the timing of an event or the stage of a process. It indicates that something occurred or was introduced later than expected or compared to a certain reference point. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this usage is grammatically correct and accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a relatively late" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to indicate that something occurs later than expected or usual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse fields, including news, science, and academia. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the surrounding context to ensure its appropriateness. When employing "a relatively late", aim for clear context, and avoid using it when the delay is highly significant. Consider alternatives such as "a somewhat delayed" or "a comparatively late" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat delayed

Replaces "relatively" with "somewhat", softening the degree of lateness. "Delayed" focuses on the postponement aspect.

a comparatively late

Substitutes "relatively" with "comparatively", emphasizing a comparison against a standard or other instances.

a fairly late

Uses "fairly" instead of "relatively", offering a more informal tone and suggesting a moderate degree of lateness.

a reasonably late

Employs "reasonably" in place of "relatively", indicating lateness within acceptable or expected bounds.

a belated

Replaces "relatively late" with a single adjective, "belated", suggesting tardiness or delay beyond an acceptable time.

a tardy

Uses "tardy", a more formal synonym for "late", implying a violation of a schedule or expected time.

a delayed

Focuses specifically on the concept of delay, omitting the relative aspect but still indicating lateness.

a posterior

Uses "posterior", a more technical term implying something that comes after in sequence or time.

a subsequent

Replaces "late" with "subsequent", focusing on the idea of following after something else, rather than being inherently late.

a lagging

Employs "lagging", suggesting that something is falling behind or occurring after a desired or expected point.

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively late" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively late" to describe something that occurs or is introduced later than usual or expected. For example, "The discovery was made at "a relatively late" stage in the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "a relatively late"?

Alternatives include "a somewhat delayed", "a comparatively late", or "a fairly late", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a relatively late" in formal writing?

Yes, "a relatively late" is appropriate in formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider whether a more precise term might be more suitable depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a relatively late" and "a very late"?

"A relatively late" implies a comparison to a norm or expectation, while "a very late" suggests a significant degree of tardiness regardless of context. "A very late" is stronger and indicates more severity than "a relatively late".