it is getting late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is getting late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that time is passing and that it may soon be time to leave or conclude an activity. Example: "We should start wrapping up the meeting; it is getting late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It is getting late after the winery.

The New York Times - Travel

But it is getting late for that now.

The Economist

It is getting late, they hint; time to take stock.

The New York Times

It is getting late for you to repair the damage done to our country.

The New York Times

"This is one of the last sectors to be privatized, and it is getting late".

The New York Times

It is getting late, but American promoters could fill lesser stadiums, even in September, with our glut of sports.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

University of Chicago

It's getting late.

The New York Times - Arts

It's getting late for Rodgers now.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is getting late" to politely signal that it's time to conclude a meeting, conversation, or visit. It's a softer way to express the need to leave without being abrupt.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "it is getting late" in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise language like "the session is nearing its conclusion" or "time constraints necessitate a prompt adjournment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is getting late" functions as an expression of time, indicating that the current time is approaching the end of the day or a designated timeframe. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in everyday communication and signaling a need to conclude an activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is getting late" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the passing of time, often suggesting an imminent conclusion to an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, particularly within News & Media. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, alternative phrasings, such as "time is running out" or "the hour is growing late", may be more suitable for formal or literary settings. Remember to use "it is getting late" as a polite cue rather than an abrupt declaration and be mindful of overusing it in highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's becoming late

Uses "becoming" instead of "getting", implying a gradual transition to lateness.

time is running out

Focuses on the limited amount of time remaining.

we're running out of time

Focuses on the limited amount of time from speaker perspective.

the hour is growing late

More formal and literary alternative.

it's nearly time to go

More direct and explicitly states the need to leave.

night is approaching

Emphasizes the arrival of night.

we should wrap things up

Suggests concluding an activity due to the lateness of the hour.

it's getting on

More informal and colloquial way to say it's getting late.

the day is far spent

A more antiquated or biblical expression meaning the day is nearly over.

time is passing

A general statement about the progression of time.

FAQs

What does "it is getting late" mean?

The phrase "it is getting late" means that time is passing and that it may soon be time to leave or conclude an activity.

What can I say instead of "it is getting late"?

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

Is "it is getting late" formal or informal?

"It is getting late" is generally considered to be neutral in formality. While acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional contexts.

How to politely indicate it's time to leave using "it is getting late"?

You can use "it is getting late" as a gentle way to signal that you need to leave. For example, you might say, "It's getting late; I should probably head home now".