came late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone arriving after the expected or scheduled time. Example: "She came late to the meeting, missing the important announcements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leary came late.

Harvard University

Microsoft came late to both.

The Economist

I came late to Twitter.

The New York Times - Magazine

The goals came late.

The Guardian - Sport

Acclaim came late.

The Guardian

Spring came late.

The New York Times

Phillips actually came late to the party.

The New Yorker

Spring came late and stayed cool.

The New Yorker

And it came late in the game.

The New York Times

HOLLYWOOD came late to the internet.

The Economist

Surprisingly, Skype came late into my life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came late", ensure the context clearly indicates what was delayed. For example, specify if it's an arrival, a realization, or an event.

Common error

Avoid using "came late" without clarifying the subject or event being referenced. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came late" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a delay or tardiness. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from literal arrivals to figurative lateness in understanding or recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came late" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that something happened or someone arrived after the expected or optimal time. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears frequently in news articles, academic texts, and general writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and its communicative purpose is to express a delay in events, arrivals, or realizations. To ensure clarity, specify what exactly "came late", as ambiguity can confuse the reader. While alternatives like "arrived late" or "appeared belatedly" exist, "came late" remains a common and acceptable choice for conveying tardiness or delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached the destination late

Directly states the lateness of reaching a specific place.

appeared belatedly

Highlights the delayed appearance of something.

arrived tardily

Formal alternative emphasizing a delayed arrival.

made a late entrance

Specifically refers to entering a place or situation after the expected time.

showed up behind schedule

Focuses on deviating from a planned timeline.

missed the early stages

Highlights missing the initial part of an event or process.

was delayed in arriving

Emphasizes the reason for the lateness.

lagged behind

Implies a failure to keep pace or meet a deadline.

surfaced after the deadline

Focuses on the action of 'surfacing' or becoming known too late.

only just made it

Implies a close call, almost being too late.

FAQs

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

Use "came late" to indicate a delay in arrival, realization, or occurrence. For instance, "The realization "came late"", or "He "arrived late" to the party".

What are some alternatives to saying "came late"?

Alternatives include "arrived late", "showed up late", or "appeared belatedly", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "came late to the party"?

Yes, "came late to the party" is a common idiom meaning to join something after it has already started or become successful.

What's the difference between "came late" and "was delayed"?

"Came late" simply states that something happened or someone arrived after the expected time. "Was delayed" implies a reason or cause for the lateness. For example, "The train "was delayed" due to weather", while "He "came late" to the meeting".