at a very late stage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a very late stage" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that happens or is done near the end of a process, timeline, or life cycle. Example: "The company made significant changes to their product at a very late stage of development, causing delays in its release date." In this sentence, "at a very late stage" indicates that the changes were made close to the end of the product's development process.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

Acta Materialia

She decided, at a very late stage, that the sculpture didn't work.

The Guardian - Arts

They arrive at Boost hospital at a very late stage of their sickness with complications very difficult to treat".

Independent

Scheduling changes at a very late stage are unusual, particularly with nations that have fewer high-level diplomatic contacts.

The New York Times

Like 80percentt of cancer patients in the sub-Saharan African nation, she had been diagnosed with the disease at a very late stage.

Stanford University

When necessary, many of these corrective measures can be introduced at a very late stage, even when the draft evaluation report has already been produced.

The American Journal of Evaluation

The majority of KIMAP mice did not progress to NE CaP, which was observed only at a very late stage and a low frequency.

Molecular Therapy

In addition, examples are described that show that structure-based drug design can support the drug discovery process at a very late stage.

Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry II

At a very late stage he added a new poem to the text of The Rest on the Flight: New Selected Poems, which is to appear in May.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Why was this investigation dropped at an apparently very late stage?" To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone [phone].

The Guardian

A negative result can, at this very late stage in a drug's development, doom its bid for FDA approval and represent a major financial setback for the sponsoring company. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a very late stage", ensure the context clearly indicates what process or timeline is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "at a very late stage" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "near the end" or "in the final phase" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a very late stage" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs. It specifies the timing of an action or event in relation to a process or timeline, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a very late stage" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating that something occurs near the end of a process or timeline. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including scientific and news reporting. While a very common phrase, writers should vary their language by utilizing synonyms and related phrases to avoid repetition. The prevalence of this phrase in both scientific and news sources highlights its utility in specifying timing and emphasizing proximity to the conclusion of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a significantly advanced point

Replaces "very late" with "significantly advanced", emphasizing the degree of advancement.

in the final phase

Focuses on the finality of the phase, implying lateness.

towards the tail end

Uses a more informal, visual metaphor for the end.

near the culmination

Highlights the nearing of a culminating event.

at the eleventh hour

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate the last possible moment.

in the waning moments

Emphasizes the diminishing nature of the time remaining.

as the end approached

Shifts the focus to the approaching end, suggesting lateness.

in the twilight

Employs a metaphorical reference to twilight to convey the sense of something coming to an end.

at the fag end

Uses a colloquial term to denote the very end of something.

just before the deadline

Specifically refers to the time close to a deadline.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at a very late stage" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "at a significantly advanced point" or "in the final phase", depending on the specific context.

Is "at a very late stage" the same as "at the last minute"?

While similar, /s/at+the+eleventh+hour "at the last minute" implies a sense of urgency and potential improvisation, while "at a very late stage" simply indicates proximity to the end of a process without necessarily implying urgency.

How to use "at a very late stage" in a sentence?

You might say, "The critical flaw was discovered "at a very late stage" in the product development cycle", indicating the discovery occurred near the end of the process.

What are some common mistakes when using the phrase "at a very late stage"?

One common mistake is using it too frequently, leading to repetitive writing. Varying your phrasing and using alternatives like /s/near+the+end "near the end" can enhance clarity and engagement.