are very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are very late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is behind schedule or not on time. Example: "The train is delayed, and we are very late for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We are very late indeed".

The New York Times

Some people have done the planning a long way in advance and others are very late to the party".

Independent

I've added some cutting flowers, too, and we spent all weekend picking strawberries, though my gooseberries are very late".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You are very late.

BBC

As Daniel Rosenfeld of Hebrew University in Jerusalem told ScienceInsider, "We are very late in the game.

Science Magazine

Yes, we are very late into the game, we are several years late, but that is because the mobile web is late.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

These are very late-stage investments where companies, in addition to possibly selling some new stock to finance growth, allow existing shareholders to cash out.

The New York Times

"It was very late".

The New Yorker

Mr Rangel was very late.

The Economist

The patient is very late.

The New York Times - Health

We're very late.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are very late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is late and the consequences of the delay. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "are very late" when a milder term like "are slightly late" would be more appropriate. Overstating the lateness can diminish the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are very late" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to indicate that they have not arrived or occurred at the expected or scheduled time. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase describes tardiness in various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are very late" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something is behind schedule. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media. While the phrase can be used in various registers, it's important to consider the context and choose the most appropriate alternative if a different nuance is desired. Be mindful of overstating the degree of lateness to maintain credibility. The expression is commonly used to inform about delays and can imply urgency or potential negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not on time

A simple and direct way of saying something is late.

are running extremely late

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the lateness, implying continued movement but behind time.

are behind the expected time

States explicitly that the current time is later than anticipated.

are considerably delayed

Emphasizes the extent of the delay, suggesting a significant amount of time has passed.

are severely behind schedule

Highlights the impact of the lateness on a planned timeline.

are past the deadline

Directly indicates that a specific timeframe has been exceeded.

have fallen far behind

Indicates a loss of progress and a considerable distance from the intended state.

are lagging significantly

Implies slow progress and being behind others in a race or competition.

are long overdue

Highlights that something should have happened or been completed a while ago.

are belated

A more formal way of saying late.

FAQs

What does "are very late" mean?

The phrase "are very late" signifies that someone or something is significantly behind schedule or has missed a deadline.

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

You can use "are very late" to describe people, events, or payments that are behind schedule. For instance, "They are very late for their appointment" or "The payments are very late this month".

What can I say instead of "are very late"?

You can use alternatives like "are considerably delayed", "are severely behind schedule", or "are running extremely late" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are acceptable, but "are extremely late" emphasizes a higher degree of lateness compared to "are very late". Choose the phrase that best reflects the severity of the situation.