even late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even late" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the lateness of something, such as when you are giving an example of something that happened very late in comparison to something similar. For example, "He finished his assignment, even late - much later than all the other students".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Even late Wednesday evening, members of the F.C.C. were negotiating over disagreements and concerns over the proposal.

The New York Times - Tech

We're never even late".

The New Yorker

I was never even late to open up.

The New York Times

Compared to the most powerful ancient armies, however, even late medieval ones were impermanent and weak.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The spacecraft will likely last into December, potentially even late December," Mr. Johnson said.

The New York Times - Science

Even late in life, he was very much the incarnation of a five-star general.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"This is not even late-stage capitalism," she argued.

The Guardian

Even late-comers to the band adopt their philosophy of simply getting on with it.

The Guardian

But Jordan could not produce his career Garden average of 31 points, or even late-game stability.

The New York Times - Sports

Even late-night hosts Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to the veteran during their monologues.

Los Angeles Times

However, studies have shown that even late-onset sporadic PD may also have a genetic contribution [ 4].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even late" to emphasize that something is happening or being considered at a time that is further along than might be expected or desired. For example, "Even late in the project, new insights emerged" highlights the unexpected timing of these insights.

Common error

Avoid using "even late" when you simply mean "late". The inclusion of "even" should add emphasis, indicating surprise or an unexpected delay. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even late" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or event. It typically emphasizes that something is happening at a point later than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even late" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the unexpected or surprising timing of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, while it's not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, ensure that the "even" genuinely adds emphasis, highlighting that the event is occurring later than anticipated. Related phrases such as "surprisingly late" or "remarkably late" can serve as alternatives. Be mindful of overuse, as it can dilute the phrase's impact. As a final note, make sure to use it in a text with neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely late

Replaces "even" with "extremely", increasing the level of tardiness.

surprisingly late

Replaces "even" with "surprisingly", focusing on the unexpected aspect of the lateness.

remarkably late

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the lateness.

unexpectedly late

Highlights the unforeseen nature of the delay.

very late indeed

Adds 'indeed' for emphasis on the extreme lateness.

belatedly

A single-word adverb expressing lateness, often with a sense of something being overdue.

later than expected

Explicitly states that the timing is past what was anticipated.

at a late hour

Focuses on the time, suggesting it is past the appropriate hour.

at this late stage

Emphasizes the advanced point in time when something occurs.

even at a later time

Adds the concept of time, suggesting something could happen subsequently

FAQs

How can "even late" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "even late" is used to emphasize that something occurs at a later point than expected. For example, "Even late in the season, the flowers continued to bloom" suggests the blooming was surprisingly prolonged.

What is a similar phrase to "even late"?

Similar phrases include "surprisingly late", "remarkably late", or "unexpectedly late", each emphasizing the unexpected aspect of the timing.

How does "even late" differ from "late"?

"Late" simply indicates something occurred after its expected time. "Even late" adds emphasis, suggesting the lateness is surprising or noteworthy. The difference lies in the degree of emphasis.

Is it always appropriate to use "even late"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Use "even late" only when you want to highlight the unexpected or surprising nature of something happening at a later time than anticipated. Otherwise, "late" is sufficient.