but late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is occurring or being done after the expected or scheduled time. Example: "I wanted to attend the meeting, but late arrivals were not allowed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"But late at night, everyone's drunk.

The New York Times

But late motherhood is a marker".

The New York Times - Science

But late Friday night, the fans could thank them back.

The New York Times - Sports

But late this season, he began complaining of headaches.

The New York Times - Sports

But late sowing tends to produce a thin harvest.

The Economist

But late that night, company officials reversed course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But late-period Hill misrepresents the man grievously.

The Guardian - Sport

His rheumy eyes, throat-clearing cackle and toothless grin suggest "not genius, but late-stage dipsomania".  .

BBC

"Late abortion" is imprecise but acceptable language, but "late-term" is a misnomer.

Huffington Post

Efficient replication occurs later, attributed to efficient but late-firing origins.

Plosone

14 These abnormalities usually develop during childhood, but late-onset PC has been described.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but late", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being referred to as 'late'. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but late" when a more precise term like "delayed" or "subsequent" would provide clearer context about the sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but late" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas or events, where the second event happens at a later time. It introduces a deviation from what was initially expected or planned. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but late" is a grammatically sound and commonly used conjunction phrase that introduces a contrasting element occurring after an expected time. Ludwig examples show that the phrase is frequently employed in News & Media and Science contexts to signal a shift or change in circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates correct usage of "but late", alternatives include "however, later" or "albeit delayed", which can add nuance depending on the situation. When using "but late", ensure clarity regarding the temporal relationship being established. This guide, based on Ludwig data, offers best practices to use "but late" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, later

Replaces "but" with "however" while retaining the sense of something happening subsequently.

though tardy

Substitutes "late" with "tardy", emphasizing the aspect of being behind schedule.

albeit delayed

Uses "albeit" to introduce a contrasting element of delay.

yet belatedly

Employs "yet" as a conjunction and "belatedly" to highlight the tardiness.

subsequently, though

Inverts the structure, starting with "subsequently" to emphasize sequence.

eventually, but

Highlights the end result after some time.

in the end, however

Focuses on the final outcome despite initial expectations.

after some time, though

Specifically indicates a duration before the change.

not until later

Highlights that something did not happen until a subsequent time.

eventually however

Using "eventually however" gives a temporal sense.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but late" is used to introduce a contrasting event or situation that occurs after an expected or usual time. For example: "The project was initially on schedule, "but late" changes caused delays."

What are some alternatives to "but late"?

Alternatives include phrases like "however, later", "albeit delayed", or "yet belatedly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "but late" grammatically correct?

Yes, "but late" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to introduce a contrasting element that occurs at a later time than expected.

What is the difference between "but late" and "but lately"?

"But late" refers to something happening after a specific expected time. "But lately" /s/but+lately, means "recently" or "in recent times", referring to a period of time rather than a specific point.