about this late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about this late" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concern or inquiry regarding the timing of something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I wanted to discuss the project, but I'm unsure about this late in the process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We just learned about this late in the morning.

The New York Times

While Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle put it best by saying, "The game deserved better," there is a silver lining in this for Pirates fans: when was the last time they had something to scream about this late in the season?

The New York Times

What's most enchanting about this late Bunuel, I think, is the absolute ease, the way tenderness and monstrosity nuzzle together in the cage, the terror and the humor that are embroidered together (sewing was a great interest).

The New York Times

"The Post found out about this late yesterday afternoon," said Post spokesman Howard Rubenstein.

Forbes

Update: Scott Patterson at the Wall Street Journal wrote about this late on Friday.

Huffington Post

While Menzies Campbell fumed about this late intrusion of a man who'd personally assured him that he would not run against him - Huhne - a former financial tipster for various British newspapers who then parlayed his insider knowledge into a lucrative career as a stock-market speculator - played the perfect candidate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And if that's not enough to make you jealous, how about this latest development on the San Francisco art front?

Huffington Post

The only thing McChrystal is sorry about is this latest attempt to publicly extort the administration failed.

Huffington Post

FRIDAY'S PUZZLE — This being Friday, we have no theme to discuss, so let's get right to what's nice about this late-week puzzle.

The New York Times

Tell me about this latest series.

The New Yorker

What to say about this latest outrage?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a late point in a process or timeline, use clearer alternatives like "at this late stage" or "so late in the day" to enhance readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "about this late" can confuse readers due to its non-standard structure. Ensure your phrasing clearly conveys the intended meaning of lateness in relation to the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about this late" functions as a prepositional phrase attempting to modify a noun or verb, indicating a temporal context. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not grammatically sound, leading to ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "about this late" appears in some contexts, particularly within news and media, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase lacks clarity and proper structure. More suitable alternatives include "at this late stage" or "so late in the day", which provide enhanced readability. When aiming for precision, especially in formal writing, it's advisable to avoid "about this late" and opt for clearer, more conventional alternatives. Despite its occasional use, its non-standard nature makes it a less reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at this late stage

Replaces "about" with "at" and adds "stage" for clarity, focusing on the lateness in a process.

so late in the day

Emphasizes the lateness of the time, suggesting that something is happening near the end of the day or a similar timeframe.

at this point

Indicates a specific moment in time, highlighting the current circumstances.

by this time

Specifies that something occurs no later than the present moment.

this far along

Focuses on the progression or advancement made up to the present.

this late in the game

Uses an idiom to refer to a late point in a process or activity.

at such a late hour

Emphasizes the lateness, typically in the context of night or an advanced time.

at this advanced stage

Highlights the progressed nature of the point being discussed.

considering the lateness

Acknowledges the lateness as a factor influencing a decision or action.

given the time

Indicates that the current time is a relevant factor.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "about this late"?

You can use alternatives such as "at this late stage", "so late in the day", or "at this point" depending on the context.

Is "about this late" grammatically correct?

The phrase "about this late" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more precise and conventional phrasing like "at this late stage" or "this late in the process".

How can I use "at this late stage" in a sentence?

You might say, "At this late stage, we can't make any more changes to the plan." This conveys that because the project is so far along, further alterations are impractical.

What's the difference between "about this late" and "at this late stage"?

"About this late" is vague and grammatically unsound. "At this late stage" provides a clear and common way to refer to a progressed point in time or a process.