being held late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being held late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is delayed or kept longer than expected, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The meeting is being held late due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He was still being held late Wednesday.

The New York Times

The four men were still being held late Wednesday.

The New York Times

With An Ecosystem of Excess, part of Transmediale's Afterglow festival being held late January, Yoldas will bring her science fictional daydream into the waking world.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A memorial service to be held late Spring in New Jersey.

The New York Times

Perhaps she'd been held late at school by some urgent matter?

The New Yorker

Presidential elections were held late that year, with elections for the National Assembly following in early 1997.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Public hearings on the proposal are to be held late in the spring.

The New York Times

Vigils were held late into the night in Newtown as bereaved families identified the dead.

The Guardian

The dinner was held late, she said, because Marti was traveling from Spain and considered it "safer to cross the border at night".

The New York Times - Sports

The withdrawal plan was written on the assumption that the elections would be held late in 2009 or early in 2010.

The New York Times

In addition, the MIT SCA will be taking sign-ups for a low-fee ($5-10 5-10emaking workshoemaking held late IAP / early February - times and dates to be determined by participant preference.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being held late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed or detained. For example, "The meeting is being held late due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "being held late" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The package is being held late by the courier", consider "The courier is holding the package late."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being held late" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is experiencing a delay or is being detained beyond the expected timeframe. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being held late" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe delays or detentions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to inform about a postponement and is often employed in neutral registers. While not exceedingly common, its presence in news, academic texts and encyclopedias indicates its relevance across various informational contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is delayed and consider whether an active construction might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "delayed until late" or "postponed to a later hour" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed until late

Focuses on the act of delaying something until a later time.

kept back until late

Highlights the act of retaining something or someone until a later point.

held over until later

Implies something is being reserved or postponed for a future time.

detained until late

Emphasizes the aspect of being kept in custody or delayed against one's will until a later time.

kept beyond the expected time

Focuses on exceeding the anticipated duration.

postponed to a later hour

Focuses on rescheduling an event or activity to a later time.

delayed past the scheduled time

Highlights the divergence from the intended timetable.

extended into the late hours

Highlights the prolongation of an event or activity into the later part of the day.

held up until the evening

Specifies the time of delay, indicating it lasted until the evening.

protracted until late

Emphasizes the length or duration of something extending into the later hours.

FAQs

How can I use "being held late" in a sentence?

You can use "being held late" to describe something that is delayed or kept longer than expected. For example: "The shipment is "being held late" due to customs inspections."

What are some alternatives to "being held late"?

Alternatives include "delayed until late", "postponed to a later hour", or "kept back until late", depending on the context.

Is "being held late" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being held late" is grammatically correct and follows standard English grammar rules, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is often used in formal contexts to describe delays.

What is the difference between "being held late" and "being delayed"?

"Being delayed" is a more general term for something being postponed. "Being held late" implies something is actively being kept back or detained until a later time, as in "The package is "being held late" at the post office."