in late May

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in late May" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time period towards the end of May, often when discussing events or deadlines. Example: "The conference is scheduled to take place in late May, so please mark your calendars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In late May of this year, Holmes's bizarre personal journal was submitted into evidence.

Vice

Things may become clearer in late May.

The Economist

She arrived in late May.

The New York Times

They arrived at BridgeView in late May.

The New York Times

Dispersant use peaked in late May.

The New York Times

The Yankees visit Minneapolis in late May.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

We met in late May/early June and have become good friends very, very quickly.

Vice

Talks could begin in late May or early June.

The New York Times

Extreme precipitation started in late May 2013, but most impacts in Germany occurred in June.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

I arrived in late May 1994.

The Guardian - Opinion

The SDPJ withdrew from the coalition in late May 2010.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, use "in late May" to provide a general timeframe, allowing for flexibility without specifying an exact date. This is especially useful when exact dates are still being finalized.

Common error

Avoid using "in late May" when a more specific date is already known. Overusing vague timeframes can make communication less clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in late May" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. Its purpose is to situate actions or states within a specific period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in late May" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase used to indicate a timeframe towards the end of May. As verified by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, maintaining a neutral tone. When using this phrase, consider whether a more specific date would improve clarity, and remember that alternatives such as "toward the end of May" or "during the last week of May" can provide similar meaning. Overall, its widespread use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for specifying this particular time period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Toward the end of May

Emphasizes the progression towards the end of May.

In the latter part of May

Highlights the final portion of the month.

During the last week of May

Specifies the final week of the month.

Near the end of May

Indicates proximity to the month's end.

Around May 30th

Pinpoints a date close to the end of May.

In the closing days of May

Emphasizes the concluding days of the month.

End-May

A concise, hyphenated form.

The May 25-31 period

Defines a specific range of days.

As May draws to a close

A more figurative and descriptive way of expressing the time.

In the waning days of May

Uses poetic language to convey the end of May.

FAQs

What does "in late May" mean?

"In late May" refers to the period towards the end of the month of May, typically the last week or so.

What can I say instead of "in late May"?

You can use alternatives like "toward the end of May", "in the latter part of May", or "during the last week of May" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in late May"?

Yes, "in late May" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English.

What's the difference between "in late May" and "at the end of May"?

While both phrases refer to the end of May, "in late May" suggests a slightly broader timeframe than "at the end of May", which might imply a more specific date or the very last day of the month.