fairly late

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly late" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to be somewhat or moderately late. Example: "We arrived at the party fairly late, but luckily we didn't miss the cake cutting." In this sentence, "fairly late" indicates that the person arrived at the party after it had already started, but not excessively late.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Boeing's coming to it fairly late.

The New Yorker

Isis is a fairly late actor.

The Guardian

It's fairly late in the nominating process.

The New York Times

Children typically began instruction fairly late, at about 10.

The New York Times

He sat sipping coffee until fairly late in the evening.

The New York Times

We decided to wait until fairly late in the race.

The New York Times - Sports

DAVIS'S DECISION TO BECOME a comedian came fairly late.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Andersson 'Well, we went down there fairly late.

The Guardian - Music

His understanding of the publishing plans, Mr. Salerno said, took shape "fairly late" in his research.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I picked up this ride fairly late last week and luckily he didn't have a rider.

BBC

Furthermore, those companies have come around fairly late in the game anyway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly late", consider the context and audience. While acceptable in most situations, a more formal alternative like "moderately delayed" might be preferable in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly late" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "somewhat delayed" or "slightly behind" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly late" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adverbs to indicate the timing of an action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something occurring after its expected or scheduled time, but not excessively so. Examples show it modifying verbs of arrival, decision-making, and developmental stages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly late" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurred somewhat or moderately late. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and encyclopedic sources. For formal writing, consider using synonyms like "moderately delayed" for greater precision. Remember to avoid overuse and vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moderately delayed

Replaces "fairly late" with a more formal adjective, emphasizing the delay itself.

Somewhat behind schedule

Indicates a slight deviation from the expected timeline, similar to being "fairly late".

A bit tardy

Uses a more informal term for lateness, suggesting a mild degree of delay.

Slightly overdue

Implies that something is past its expected time, but not by a significant amount.

Reasonably delayed

Suggests that the lateness is within acceptable limits or justifiable.

Comparatively slow

Shifts the focus to the speed of something, implying that it's not as timely as it could be.

Belatedly

Replaces the two-word phrase with a single adverb, indicating an action happening after the expected time.

Not quite on time

Expresses lateness in a negative way, emphasizing the lack of punctuality.

Somewhat later than expected

Emphasizes that the lateness was unanticipated or deviated from the original plan.

A little behind

A more casual way of expressing being late, suggesting a minor delay.

FAQs

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

"Fairly late" is used to indicate that something is somewhat or moderately late. For example, "We arrived "fairly late" to the meeting, but the main discussion hadn't started yet."

What are some alternatives to "fairly late"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat delayed", "slightly behind", or "moderately delayed".

Is it correct to say "rather late" instead of "fairly late"?

Yes, "rather late" is a similar and acceptable alternative to "fairly late". Both phrases indicate a moderate degree of lateness.

What's the difference between "fairly late" and "very late"?

"Fairly late" indicates a moderate degree of lateness, while "very late" suggests a significant or extreme degree of lateness. The choice depends on the extent of the delay you want to convey.