getting later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting later" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that time is progressing towards a later hour or that it is becoming late in the day. Example: "I need to leave soon; it's getting later, and I don't want to be out after dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As we all know Christmas is getting later and later every year.

Independent

Back in October, his night excursions to the city were getting later and later.

The New York Times - Sports

While I do not wish to be a killjoy, the time the music stops is getting later and later.

The Guardian - Money

The age at which people get married is getting later and later.

Huffington Post

If the Jews don't ever abandon the calculations based on the Shmuelian calendar, Hanukkah will keep getting later and later — moving through winter, then into spring, summer, and finally back into fall — so that tens of thousands of years from now they will again coincide.

HuffPost

When the economy turns miserable -- like it is now -- and one of them loses their job -- and their house payment is getting later and later, and savings are dwindling -- this is the when they need a whole lot more than simple sexual attraction, spiritual compatibility or the ability to laugh together.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

At the same time, negative pictures got later gaze disengagement than positive and neutral ones.

Safety Science

It's only part of what I'll get later.

The New Yorker

It is not a disease you get later in life.

The Guardian

It didn't have the reputation that it got later of being extremely leftist, liberal, independent.

University of California, Berkeley

CALMING RITUAL As it gets later at night, I will start feeling the week ahead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "getting later", ensure the context clearly indicates that time is progressing towards a later point, especially in situations where precision matters.

Common error

Avoid using "getting later" in highly formal or technical writing; opt for more precise alternatives like "the hour is advancing" or "time is progressing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting later" functions as a present continuous construction, describing an ongoing process. As shown by Ludwig, this gerund phrase often modifies nouns related to time or events, emphasizing the progression towards a later point in time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

21%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting later" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase primarily used to indicate the progression of time towards a later hour. While considered acceptable by Ludwig AI, its usage is more common in neutral to informal contexts like news and media, with less frequent appearances in formal academic or scientific writing. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "becoming late" or "growing late" can offer similar meanings while maintaining grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming late

Emphasizes the state of becoming late, rather than the process.

growing late

Highlights the gradual progression towards lateness.

time is advancing

Focuses on the forward movement of time.

approaching late

Suggests nearing a state of being late, but not necessarily in progress.

the hour is late

Emphasizes the current time as being late.

as time goes on

General reference to the passage of time, less specific about lateness.

subsequent period

Refers to a time period following a specific event, implying a delay or progression.

in due course

Suggests something will happen eventually, not necessarily related to lateness, but more in the sense of time passing.

at a later stage

Highlights a point further along in time.

down the line

Indicates a future point in time, potentially distant.

FAQs

What does "getting later" mean?

The phrase "getting later" means that time is progressing and it is approaching a later hour, or that something is happening with increasing delay.

What are some alternatives to "getting later"?

Alternatives to "getting later" include "becoming late", "growing late", or "time is advancing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "getting later" in a sentence?

You can use "getting later" in sentences such as "It's getting later, so we should probably head home" or "Bookings are getting later and later in the travel industry".

Is "getting later" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "getting later" may be considered informal for some contexts. More formal options could include "the hour is growing late" or a more specific time reference.