extremely late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is significantly past the expected or scheduled time. Example: "The train arrived extremely late, causing many passengers to miss their connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Also, the situation this year… extremely heavy snow, extremely late in the year, extremely low temperatures, and then extreme warmth all of a sudden.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Every month, I paid my rent extremely late.

The New York Times

Before I knew it, it had gotten extremely late — six o'clock, to be exact.

The New Yorker

But they also can avoid the diseases of old age until extremely late in life.

The New York Times - Science

"I was at the Dimebash, and it was extremely late at night.

The Guardian - Music

Her boyfriend was extremely late, Chapman testified, and she was still there when school finished.

The Guardian

She told me she keeps an extremely late bedtime, sometimes 4 a.m., because she's up noodling around online.

The New York Times

The Congressional primaries are supposed to take place June 26, and as usual, the mapmakers are extremely late.

The New York Times

I got married when I was 25, and I felt as if that was extremely late in the game.

The New York Times

We got cellphones that Christmas, and although it was still extremely late, it was a very sweet and rare victory.

The New York Times

By John Collier The New Yorker, January 22 , 1938P. 18 Mr. Spier came home extremely late that night.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In situations requiring specific details, follow "extremely late" with quantifiable measurements such as hours or days. For example, "The delivery was extremely late, arriving three days after the promised date."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "extremely late" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced language that specifies the extent and nature of the delay, such as "substantially overdue" or "considerably delayed", to convey precision and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely late" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate a significant degree of tardiness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extremely late" is a grammatically correct and widely used adverbial phrase, indicating a significant delay. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, more precise language may be preferable in certain formal contexts. This analysis highlights its frequency in "News & Media" and "Science", alongside practical writing guidance and alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably delayed

Emphasizes the extent of the delay; focuses on the action of delaying.

significantly overdue

Highlights that something has passed its expected deadline by a noticeable amount.

substantially behind schedule

Focuses on the failure to meet the planned timetable.

well past the deadline

Directly states that the deadline has been missed by a significant margin.

long delayed

A simpler, more direct way to indicate lateness.

terribly behind

Implies being severely delayed, with a sense of urgency or concern.

excessively delayed

Emphasizes that the delay is beyond what is acceptable or reasonable.

way behind time

Informal phrasing indicating a considerable lag.

considerably tardy

Uses the word "tardy" to denote lateness, with an emphasis on being notably late.

seriously delayed

Highlights the gravity or impact of the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "extremely late" to describe something that is significantly past the expected or scheduled time. For example, "The train arrived "extremely late", causing many passengers to miss their connections".

What are some alternatives to "extremely late"?

Some alternatives to "extremely late" include "considerably delayed", "significantly overdue", or "substantially behind schedule". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "very late" or "extremely late"?

"Extremely late" emphasizes a greater degree of lateness than "very late". The choice depends on the severity of the delay you wish to convey. If you need to state the time missed, prefer "The train was 3 hours late".

What does "extremely late" mean in the context of project deadlines?

In the context of project deadlines, "extremely late" means that a deliverable is significantly past its agreed-upon due date. This can have consequences such as impacting subsequent tasks or incurring penalties. In these cases, "substantially behind schedule" is also appropriate.