a very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs or is done at a time that is much later than expected or usual. Example: "She arrived at a very late hour, long after the party had ended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a very late recovery".

The Guardian - Business

It's, um, a very late start.

The Guardian

"I will make a very late decision on that problem.

Independent

"I'm still recovering from a very late night," he said.

The New York Times

"This is a very late entrant into this field".

The New York Times

Discontinuous precipitation took place at a very late stage of the decomposition process.

Acta Materialia

Patients have a very late abortion or premature delivery in 2 3%% of pregnancies.

Gynécologie Obstétrique & Fertilité

Now some people say, oh, that seems like a very late number for V1.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

So Runyon, though dreaming of "real" writing, dreamed of it in a very late-eighteen-nineties way.

The New Yorker

Messaging is a crowded market, and Instagram is a very late-comer.

TechCrunch

Composer Havergal Brian cuts loose with a very-late-career 'Comedy Overture'.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very late" to describe a decision or action, consider whether a more specific term like 'last-minute' or 'belated' might provide greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "very" simply as an intensifier. Instead of "a very late response", consider rewriting as "a significantly delayed response" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very late" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, specifying the timing of a noun. It indicates that something occurred or was realized at a time much later than anticipated or usual. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very late" functions as an adjectival modifier to highlight the tardiness of an event, action, or arrival. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, the choice of using "a very late" should be weighed against more specific alternatives for enhanced clarity and impact. As such, overuse of the intensifier "very" is one of the common mistakes. Therefore, it's crucial to consider specific alternative words when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely delayed

Emphasizes the degree of delay, suggesting a more significant postponement.

delayed significantly

Highlights the act of delaying and the amount that the initial schedule was incremented.

significantly behind schedule

Focuses on the context of timing and planning, indicating a notable deviation from the timeline.

substantially postponed

Focuses on the postponement aspect, indicating a considerable extension of the timeframe.

considerably overdue

Highlights that something is past its expected time, with a focus on obligation.

far past the deadline

Specifically relates to missing a defined cutoff point or due date.

long after the appointed time

Emphasizes the passing of a specific, agreed-upon time.

belated

A concise, formal term for something arriving or happening late.

well beyond the expected hour

Similar to appointed time, but with more flexibility since it is only expected, not strictly agreed.

tardy

Informal term that denotes something is delayed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a very late" to describe events, decisions, or arrivals that occur much later than expected. For example: "It was "a very late start" to the season." or "They made "a very late decision"."

What are some alternatives to "a very late"?

Alternatives include "extremely delayed", "significantly behind schedule", or simply "belated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "very late" or "extremely late"?

Both "very late" and "extremely late" are grammatically correct. "Extremely late" emphasizes the lateness to a greater degree.

When is it appropriate to use "a very late" in formal writing?

While acceptable, in formal writing, consider alternatives like "considerably overdue" or "significantly delayed" for more precise and impactful language. However, "a very late" is perfectly acceptable in neutral contexts.