before very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before very late" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when to use it, as it lacks context and proper structure. Example: "I prefer to finish my work before very late in the evening."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He had finished the final draft the night before, very late.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely we'll see Shenmue 3 before (very late) 2017, with PC owners having the option of a physical or digital release, and PS4 users apparently only getting the latter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They had all beein at a party the night before till very late, drinking a lot.

The New Yorker

Homer and Steenson exchanged penalties to set up an exciting finish, with the latter's fourth penalty nudging the Chiefs ahead before Geraghty's very late effort gave Irish a morale-boosting win.

BBC

Ms Bratusek agrees.Long-delayed pension reforms and the establishment of a "bad bank" have at last begun, but Slovenia's squabbling politicians have left it very late before acting.

The Economist

Dr. Kramer said it remained possible that a high-fiber diet could alter colon cancer risk: the effect might occur either before polyps develop or very late in the development of colon cancer, outside the period covered by the studies.

The New York Times

But that was before the very latest Catch-22 in Virginia law: effective this month, state law bars any locality from enacting gun regulations.

The New York Times

"With horses you never know, and the selection is very late, just before the Games.

Independent

For once one wanted her to have her aria in Act 4, except that the intrusive interval before that act makes things very late as it is.

The Guardian

While the signs of cardiorespiratory distress such as breathlessness, tachypnea, tachycardia, poor perfusion are easy to recognize, they invariably appear very late shortly before most fatal case collapsed.

BMC Infectious Diseases

And before Ernesto, many nights before him, their mother would come home very late, jangling.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "before very late" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "before it's too late" or "before the deadline".

Common error

Don't use unnecessary intensifiers with time-related prepositions. Simpler phrases like "before late" or "before it's too late" are generally more effective and easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before very late" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to modify a verb by indicating a time constraint. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the construction is not standard and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before very late" is considered grammatically incorrect and unidiomatic in standard English. As Ludwig AI reports, it's better to opt for clearer alternatives such as "before it's too late" or "before the deadline" to ensure effective communication. Although it does appear in some contexts, primarily News & Media and Science, its rarity and lack of clarity make it a less desirable choice for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before too late

A more common and idiomatic way of expressing the need to act promptly.

before it gets too late

Emphasizes the urgency of acting before a negative outcome becomes unavoidable.

before the last minute

Highlights acting with some anticipation, rather than waiting until the very end.

before the deadline

Specifically refers to acting prior to a set time limit or due date.

sooner rather than later

Implies a preference for acting quickly, without unnecessary delay.

in good time

Suggests acting with sufficient time to spare, avoiding any potential rush or delay.

before the eleventh hour

An idiomatic expression referring to act just before it's too late to achieve the desired result.

well in advance

Emphasizes preparing or acting significantly ahead of a deadline.

ahead of schedule

Highlights completing something before the anticipated or planned time.

at an early stage

Focuses on acting or intervening during the initial phase of a situation.

FAQs

Is "before very late" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "before very late" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "before it's too late" or "before the deadline" instead.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "before very late"?

You can use alternatives such as "before it gets too late", "before too late", or "well in advance" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "before very late"?

The phrase "before very late" is generally not recommended for use in formal or academic writing due to its awkwardness. It's preferable to choose more common and grammatically sound alternatives.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding phrases like "before very late"?

Focus on using concise and clear language. Opt for well-established phrases like "before the last minute" or "sooner rather than later" to express timing and urgency effectively.