it was late for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was late for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain time has passed or that an event is occurring later than expected or desired. Example: "It was late for dinner, and the guests were starting to worry about the meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was late for them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Through the lit window as he came around the side of the house he could see his family in the kitchen eating pizza, and it did occur to him then that it was late for them to be having supper.

The New Yorker

Leading Republicans said they welcomed Mr. Ray's interest but thought it was late for a man with slender ties to the state to take on the more established candidates who are running in the June 4 primary.

The New York Times

At 2 45 AM, it was late for her to get a call.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's late for us old-timers".

The New Yorker

It is late for Egypt, but maybe not too late.

The New York Times

I've sometimes thought about using a pseudonym, but it's late for that.

The New Yorker

It is late for dancers to find work for the summer.

The New York Times - Arts

It is late for Bout to try to polish his image.

The Guardian - Opinion

During this period, the taxi drivers are facing a stable business condition as it is late for travel.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

It was late and time for bed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was late for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the lateness refers to. For example, specify "it was late for dinner" or "it was late for the meeting" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was late for" without clearly defining what "it" refers to. Without context, the reader may not understand what the subject is and why its lateness is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was late for" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase indicating that a particular time or deadline had passed in relation to a specific event or action. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was late for" serves to indicate that a specific time or deadline has passed, impacting the feasibility of certain actions. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and shows a neutral register, commonly appearing in news and media and science. To ensure clarity, specify what "it" refers to. While the phrase is versatile, consider alternatives like "it was too late for" to explicitly convey a sense of missed opportunity or irrevocability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was too late for

Adds "too" to explicitly indicate that the time for something has irrevocably passed, which is more direct.

the hour was late for

Replaces "it" with "the hour" to emphasize the time, maintains the overall meaning with minor modification.

the time had passed for

Uses "the time had passed" to highlight the completion of the allotted time, adding emphasis on the finished moment.

it was past the deadline for

Specifically mentions a "deadline", focusing on missed commitments.

the opportunity had gone for

Highlights a missed "opportunity", adding a sense of loss of possibility.

the window had closed for

Employs a metaphorical "window", indicating that the available timeframe has ended.

it was after hours for

Uses "after hours" to suggest that the standard operational period has ended.

the appointed time was over for

Uses "appointed time" to emphasize a pre-arranged schedule or deadline was not met.

it was behind schedule for

Focuses on the concept of being "behind schedule", emphasizing the deviation from the planned timeline.

the moment had slipped by for

Uses the idiom "slipped by" to highlight the unnoticed passing of time, which introduces a more casual tone.

FAQs

What does "it was late for" mean?

The phrase "it was late for" means that a particular time or deadline has passed, making it potentially too late to achieve a desired outcome or complete an intended action. The meaning is always determined by context.

What can I say instead of "it was late for"?

You can use alternatives like "it was too late for", "the deadline had passed", or "the time had expired" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is late for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is late for" is grammatically correct. The choice between "it was late for" and "it is late for" depends on whether you are referring to a past or present situation. For example: "It was late for the appointment yesterday" vs "It is late for class now".

How do I use "it was late for" in a sentence?

Use "it was late for" to indicate that a specific time has passed for a certain activity or event. For example: "It was late for the show, so we missed the first act."