come late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone has arrived at a place at a time later than is average or expected. For example: My friend always comes late to our meetings, so I don't plan to start until 15 minutes after the scheduled time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I come late to everything.

The New York Times - Books

Success had come late.

The Guardian - Books

Democracy has come late to the Tories.

The Economist

Tactical inspiration can come late as well.

Independent

So you come late to meetings.

The New York Times

I have come late to yoga.

The New York Times - Tech

But they come late to this issue.

The New York Times

The title has come late to Bisping.

The Guardian - Sport

He acknowledged that change had come late and limited.

The New York Times

"It's looking like it's going to come late," he said.

The New York Times

The United States has come late to the game.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is arriving or happening behind schedule. For example, "The announcement could "come late" Sunday" clarifies that the announcement is the thing expected to arrive behind schedule.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what is "coming late". Without a clear subject, the phrase can be confusing. For example, instead of just saying "Things will "come late", specify what things are delayed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come late" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the timing of an event or arrival in relation to an expected schedule. It indicates that something is happening or arriving behind schedule. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is delayed or occurring behind schedule. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. As evidenced by the numerous examples from news and media, science, and general sources, this expression is widely understood. When using "come late", ensure clarity regarding the subject that is delayed. While versatile, be mindful of the context, as more formal situations might benefit from a more precise expression. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, affirming the phrase's widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show up late

Focuses on the act of appearing at a place behind schedule.

arrive behind schedule

This alternative focuses on the act of arriving later than planned.

get in late

Implies arrival to a place in a later moment

be delayed

This phrase emphasizes the state of being postponed or slowed down.

make it late

This focuses on getting somewhere behind schedule.

occur later

This focuses on the timing of an event happening at a subsequent time.

happen subsequently

Highlights the sequence of events with an emphasis on a later occurrence.

appear tardily

This alternative uses a more formal word to denote lateness.

roll in late

This is a more casual way to say someone arrived late.

be overdue

This phrase suggests that something is past its expected time.

FAQs

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

You can use "come late" to indicate that something is arriving or occurring later than expected. For example, "The package will "come late" due to the storm" or "He tends to "show up late" to meetings".

What's the difference between "come late" and "arrive late"?

"Come late" is a more general term that can apply to events or abstract concepts, while "arrive late" usually refers specifically to a person or object reaching a destination behind schedule. While the phrases have a very similar meaning, they aren't always intercheable.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "come late"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "be delayed", "occur later", or "show up late".

Is it grammatically correct to use "come late"?

Yes, "come late" is a grammatically correct phrase. It is commonly used in English to express that something is happening or arriving behind schedule.