actually late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that someone or something is indeed late, often in contrast to an expectation or assumption that they are not. Example: "I thought the meeting would start on time, but it turns out that John is actually late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It's worth noting that Google is actually late to the game, as many solutions already exist.

The Guardian

In fact, auditors found that only one-fifth of the trains that were actually late were being counted as late.

The New York Times

Susswein says her parents and grandparents came over that year or 1940, referring to it as "so early". Stypeck says, "It's actually late," and he's off into the rise of Nazis, Kristallnacht and the history of Nazi Germany.

The Washington Post

Despite my early porn peeks, I was actually late to get sex (explained by a preteenage friend of a friend, who pointed to a couple writhing under blankets at a park before breaking out the old plug-and-socket analogy).

The New York Times

Google is actually late to the game.

Forbes

Critics will complain that suggesting Apple's adoption of this tech is actually late, and that many others came before them, without prompting any widespread mass market adoption.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Freak out because now I'm actually really late.

Huffington Post

As I mentioned, from a corporate perspective, this is actually latest iteration of Mahalo, with the same investors (including Sequoia Capital, Elon Musk, News Corp, CBS, and Mark Cuban).

TechCrunch

Now, at least at NBC, the familiar creature-comfort satisfactions of late-night talk shows that actually air late at night (as God intended, dammit!) have been removed.

Huffington Post

Actually, late this week, the betting odds were about even that War Emblem, the heavy favorite, would win the Belmont and give racing fans a living legend.

The New York Times

Phillips actually came late to the party.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually late" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected tardiness. For instance, "I expected him to be early, but he's actually late."

Common error

Avoid using "actually late" when the lateness is already apparent or implied. Saying "He was late, actually" can be redundant if the context already indicates tardiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually late" functions as an adverbial modifier emphasizing the adjective 'late'. It specifies the degree or reality of being late. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actually late" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize tardiness, often in contrast to an expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its prevalence in "News & Media" suggests broad applicability, while its presence in scientific and wiki sources indicates versatility. When using "actually late", ensure it adds emphasis and isn't redundant. Alternatives like "genuinely tardy" or "indeed running late" can offer nuanced meaning, but "actually late" remains a direct and effective way to convey unexpected lateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

factually not on time

Highlights the factual correctness of being late.

in reality, belated

Emphasizes the real situation of being late, contrasting with a possible expectation.

genuinely tardy

Emphasizes the realness or truth of being late.

indeed running late

Affirms the current state of being late or behind schedule.

truly behind schedule

Focuses on the deviation from the planned timetable.

categorically late

Highlights the undeniable and absolute nature of being late.

legitimately delayed

Suggests a valid or justifiable reason for the lateness.

plainly unpunctual

Highlights the obviousness of the tardiness.

veritably unpunctual

A more formal and emphatic way of saying someone is not on time.

technically delayed

Suggests lateness according to some formal standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "actually late" to emphasize someone or something's tardiness, often when it's unexpected. For example, "The train was supposed to be on time, but it was "actually late"."

What are some alternatives to "actually late"?

Alternatives include "genuinely tardy", "factually not on time", or "indeed running late", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "actually late"?

It can be, if the context already implies lateness. However, it's useful for emphasizing surprise or unexpected tardiness. In cases where lateness is implied, alternatives like "plainly unpunctual" may be more concise.

What's the difference between "actually late" and "technically delayed"?

"Actually late" emphasizes the reality of being tardy, while "technically delayed" suggests lateness according to some formal standard or specific criteria.