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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

it's getting late
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(1)

time is running out

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's getting late — the bell's about to ring.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's getting late, and Barker's increasingly hoarse voice can't handle much more talking.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

And to quote baseball's great sage, Yogi Berra, "It's getting late early".

News & Media

Huffington Post

It's getting late.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

It's getting late for Rodgers now.

News & Media

The New York Times

O.K., honey, it's getting late here.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Reading to him, Mrs. Ramsay notices that "it was getting late.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But I had to find an adviser—it was getting late and I was desperate.

Academia

University of Chicago

She's yet to articulate or crystallize it, and it's gotten late in the game".

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

It was getting late, and the Halekulani Hotel's house band, the Islanders, would be starting soon.

News & Media

The New York Times - Travel

It was getting late, and one of Rodchenkov's guards announced, "We got to wrap up".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's getting late" to politely signal the end of a meeting or conversation, especially when you need to leave.

Common error

While "it's getting late" is a common phrase, avoid using it in a way that seems dismissive or rude. Add a reason or alternative suggestion to soften the statement, such as "It's getting late, so I should head out, but let's continue this discussion tomorrow."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it's getting late" is to act as a stative verb phrase. It describes a state of being or a condition that is changing over time, indicating the progression of time towards a later hour. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

Less common in

Formal & Business

Science

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's getting late" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the passage of time and to suggest concluding an activity or departing. It's primarily found in news and media, with neutral formality. When using the phrase, consider the context to avoid abruptness and ensure politeness. Ludwig provides many examples that show its wide applicability and acceptance in various communication styles.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's almost time to leave

Focuses on the imminence of departure due to the lateness of the hour.

time is running out

Emphasizes the limited time remaining before a deadline or event.

the hour is growing late

A more formal or literary way of expressing that time is passing.

night is drawing near

Highlights the approach of night and the need to conclude activities.

it's approaching bedtime

Specifically relates to the time when someone should be going to sleep.

the night is far spent

A more archaic or poetic way to say it's late in the night.

the day is waning

Poetic expression for the end of the day.

we're running behind schedule

Indicates that progress is slower than planned and time is becoming a concern.

time is getting on

A more British idiom indicating that time is passing.

it's getting on in years

Relates to aging, rather than time of day, so it is less related.

FAQs

What does "it's getting late" mean?

The phrase "it's getting late" means that time is passing, and it is approaching the end of the day or a time when one should be concluding activities, such as leaving or going to sleep.

How can I use "it's getting late" in a sentence?

You can use "it's getting late" in a sentence to politely indicate that it's time to leave or end an activity, for example, "It's getting late, so I should probably head home now".

What can I say instead of "it's getting late"?

You can use alternatives like "time is running out", "it's almost time to leave", or "the hour is growing late" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is getting late" instead of "it's getting late"?

Yes, "it is getting late" is grammatically correct, but "it's getting late" is a more common and conversational contraction. The meaning is the same.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's getting lateGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's getting late
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples