it very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it very late" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it is very late"? If this is the case, you can use this phrase to indicate that the time is late, often in a context where it may be inappropriate to continue an activity or conversation. Example: "I think we should wrap up the meeting; it is very late."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Wenger added: "We left it very late.

Independent

That was the lesson of Depression movies, and Hepburn learned it very late.

The New Yorker

I was waiting for that option of a pass, leaving it very late for the option to appear.

The Guardian - Sport

He saw it very late, one of the boys might have been offside in front of him but he got his finger to it.

Independent

Ms Bratusek agrees.Long-delayed pension reforms and the establishment of a "bad bank" have at last begun, but Slovenia's squabbling politicians have left it very late before acting.

The Economist

I'm like most people I know: I eat too often, too much, too quickly — and much of it very late in the day (i.e., night).

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

While it was a relief to hear Obama directly address the most important long-term problem in America, it came very late — maybe too late.

The New Yorker

"It's [moving] very fast and it's very late, but it's a colossal failure of American security policy".

The Guardian

It was very late in it that I managed to make it work".

The New Yorker

Richard Dodd, head of media and campaigns, said: "People have left it very late this year because of their reluctance to spend - they are holding out for bargains - and we've had a final weekend just before Christmas.

Independent

It started very late, but it is coming on-stream very powerfully, and that is going to be the big story of Asia.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to use the phrase to indicate a time that has passed, ensure you use the correct grammatical form, such as "it is very late" or "it's very late".

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the verb "to be" (is/are/was/were) when using this phrase. Always include the verb to ensure proper grammar: "It is very late", not "It very late".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it very late" functions as an incomplete statement expressing the lateness of a particular time or event. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect. Examples, however, show its usage in various contexts, albeit incorrectly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it very late" appears in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it is very late" or "it's very late". The phrase generally aims to convey that something is happening past the optimal time. Although used, writers should aim for grammatical accuracy to enhance clarity and credibility. If you want to express a similar idea, consider using alternatives such as "it is quite late" or "it is really late".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's very late

Adds the contraction "it's" making it grammatically correct.

it is quite late

Replaces "very" with "quite", indicating a slightly lesser degree of lateness.

it is really late

Replaces "very" with "really", emphasizing the lateness more informally.

it's getting late

Indicates that something is becoming late, rather than already being late.

it's already late

Emphasizes that the lateness is sooner than expected.

it is too late

Suggests that the lateness has resulted in a missed opportunity or negative consequence.

it's past the deadline

Explicitly states that a specific time limit has been exceeded.

the hour is late

A more formal or literary way of saying it is late.

time is running out

Focuses on the lack of remaining time, rather than the current lateness.

we're behind schedule

Indicates a deviation from a planned timeline.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "it very late" in a sentence?

The phrase "it very late" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it is very late" or "it's very late". For example, you can say "It is very late, we should go home".

What does "it is very late" mean?

"It is very late" means that the current time is far past the usual or expected time, often implying that an activity should be stopped or that someone should go to bed. For other similar expressions, consider phrases like "it is quite late" or "it is really late".

Is there a more formal way to say "it is very late"?

While "it is very late" is generally acceptable, a more formal way to express the same idea could be "the hour is late". This conveys the same meaning but with a slightly more elevated tone. A similar phrase to “it is very late” is "it is getting late".

Which is correct, "it very late" or "it is very late"?

"It is very late" is the grammatically correct phrase. "It very late" omits the necessary verb "is", making it incorrect. Remember to include the verb to be grammatically sound. If you want to use another phrase instead, consider "it is too late", depending on the specific context.