is very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is past the expected or scheduled time, often in reference to an event or deadline. Example: "The train is very late, and we might miss our connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The patient is very late.

The New York Times - Health

"It is very late.

The New York Times

He is very late leaving his office.

The New Yorker

It is very late to submit these documents now.

Yale University

"But it is very late in the day".

The New York Times

New York is very late to this party.

The New York Times

What's early for him for me is very late.

The New Yorker

Falconer is very late for his appointment at the dome.

The Guardian

When she gets home it is very late, and Luke gets angry.

The New Yorker

"With horses you never know, and the selection is very late, just before the Games.

Independent

Now that the moment for American action has come, it is very late in the day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very late", ensure the context is clear. Specify what is late and, if relevant, why. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "is very late" without providing context. Instead of saying "The delivery is very late", specify "The delivery is very late, and it's impacting our production schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very late" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being behind schedule or past the expected time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. The examples show its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very late" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is behind schedule or past its expected time. As Ludwig AI points out, it is usable in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific publications, it serves to inform about delays, express concern, or convey urgency. For clarity, always specify what is late and why. Consider alternatives like "is extremely delayed" or "is long overdue" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is extremely delayed

Emphasizes the extent of the delay.

is considerably behind schedule

Focuses on being significantly off the planned timeline.

is running far behind

Highlights the ongoing nature and extent of the delay.

is long overdue

Suggests that something should have happened a while ago.

is severely tardy

Emphasizes the degree of lateness with a more formal tone.

is significantly postponed

Highlights that an event has been put off to a much later time.

is substantially deferred

Implies a more formal and considerable delay.

is terribly behind

Emphasizes a negative consequence due to being late.

is awfully delayed

Similar to 'is terribly behind', but slightly less severe.

is belated

Conveys that something is late, often used for greetings or acknowledgments.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "is very late"?

Alternatives include "is extremely delayed", "is considerably behind schedule", or "is long overdue", depending on the context.

How can I use "is very late" in a sentence?

You can use "is very late" to describe something that has passed its expected time. For example: "The patient is very late for their appointment" or "The announcement is very late in being published".

Is it better to say "is very late" or "is delayed"?

"Is very late" emphasizes the extent of the delay. "Is delayed" is a more general term. The best choice depends on the degree of lateness you want to convey. You could also consider phrases like "is running behind".

What does it mean when something "is very late in the day"?

The idiom "is very late in the day" means that it is almost too late to take action or make a change. It implies that the opportunity might be passing. Alternatives include "time is running out" or "it is almost too late".