how late

USAGE SUMMARY

"how late" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to ask how late something happened, for example: "How late did you stay at the party?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The honeymoon ended in 1994 with the Booker-winning How Late It Was, How Late.

The Guardian - Books

The occasion was the publication of Kelman's Greyhound for Breakfast, before the Booker-winning How Late It Was How Late.

The Guardian - Books

In the Booker-winning "How Late It Was, How Late 199494), Sammy Samuels, an ex-convict, is blinded after being beaten up by the police.

The New Yorker

How late is late?

The New York Times

That's how late they were.

The New Yorker

How late is that?

The New York Times

How late was she?

The Guardian

How late were the results?

The New York Times

How late does it go?

The Washington Post

You know how late he can sleep.

The Guardian - Books

How late does this go, anyway?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how late" to inquire about the duration or ending time of an event or activity.

Common error

Avoid using "how late" without a clear reference point. Saying "How late?" without context can be confusing. Instead, specify what you're asking about, such as "How late is the store open?".

Linguistic Context

"How late" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the time, duration, or deadline related to a specific event, activity, or service. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in asking questions about time-related aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how late" is a versatile interrogative phrase used to inquire about time, duration, or deadlines. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both informal and professional settings. While generally straightforward, it's most effective when used with a clear context to avoid ambiguity. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "until what time" or "what's the closing time", depending on the specific information you need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What time does it end

Asks directly about the ending time of an event.

Until what time

Focuses on the ending time of an event or service.

What's the latest I can

Asks about the latest possible time to perform an action.

What's the closing time

Specifically asks about the time something closes.

Up to what hour

Inquires about the latest hour something is available.

How much longer

Inquires about the remaining time or duration.

What is the cut-off time

Asks about the latest acceptable time for something.

What is the final hour

A more emphatic way to ask about the ending time.

What's the deadline

Focuses on the final time for submission or completion.

When does it cease

A more formal way to ask when something stops.

FAQs

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

You can use "how late" to ask about the duration or ending time of something. For example, "How late will the meeting run?" or "How late can I submit the assignment?".

What is another way to ask "how late" something is?

Alternatives include asking "what time does it end", "what's the closing time", or "until what time" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "how late is it going to be"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. A more concise phrasing could be "how late will it be", but both are acceptable.

How does the meaning of "how late" change with different verbs?

The meaning of "how late" depends on the verb it accompanies. "How late does it open?" asks about the opening time, while "How late does it stay open?" asks about the closing time.