it will be late

USAGE SUMMARY

"it will be late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a future event or something that will occur after its expected time. For example, "We will have to leave early, or else it will be late by the time we arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

By that time it will be late May.

Independent

It will be late night in Rome when Pell gives his evidence next week.

The Guardian

General Chavancy estimates that it will be late 2012 before Tagab can be transferred to Afghan control.

The New York Times

"I expect it will be late spring before we have to make any decisions," a spokesman said.

The Guardian - Sport

Although it will be late next year or early 2015 before the potential candidates indicate whether they will run, preparing the ground begins much earlier.

The Guardian

By Daniel Hall The New Yorker, January 1 , 1990P. 32 It will be late (maybe too late, this worry View Article By David Remnick By Jia Tolentino By Jelani Cobb By Sam Knight.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In fact, it could route itself: plot the fastest way from A to B, even trigger e-mail to say it'll be late.

The New York Times - Magazine

In March, the MPC will have held interest rates unchanged at 0.5% for seven years, and with only one member, Ian McCafferty, voting for an increase at its meeting in January, the City now believes it will be late 2016 or early 2017 before borrowing costs rise.

The Guardian - Business

Compare "It's possible the plane will be late" with "It's not impossible that the plane will be late".

SEP

An IPO, if it occurs in 2010, will be late in the year, Whitacre says.

Forbes

The only question is whether it will be manageably late, or infuriatingly late.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it will be late", clarify what 'it' refers to. Provide context to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It will be late", specify "The delivery will be late".

Common error

Avoid using "it will be late" without clearly establishing a reference point. Without context, the reader might not understand what is expected to be late, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will be late" functions as a statement predicting a future state of tardiness. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It expresses that something is expected to occur after a specified or understood time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it will be late" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something will happen after the expected time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts, has a neutral register, and serves to inform or warn about future delays. While the phrase is generally clear, ensure sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "it will be delayed" or "it will be overdue" can provide a more formal tone. This phrase, though not overwhelmingly common, effectively conveys the message of anticipated tardiness in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will be delayed

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being postponed or held back in time.

it will be behind schedule

Indicates a deviation from a pre-set timeline or plan.

it will be past the deadline

Emphasizes that something will occur after a specific deadline.

it will be overdue

Highlights the fact that something is past its expected completion or arrival time.

it will be too advanced

Suggests the lateness refers to a stage or progression being excessively ahead.

it will be after hours

Implies that the event or action will happen outside of normal working or business times.

it will be beyond the timeframe

Emphasizes that an action or event is occurring outside an allotted duration.

it will miss the opportune moment

Highlights that a chance will be lost due to the delay.

the hour will be advanced

Implies that the delay causes an unusual or undesired hour.

it will be a thing of the past

Indicates the time has passed and the moment is over.

FAQs

How can I use "it will be late" in a sentence?

You can use "it will be late" to indicate that something will happen after the expected or desired time. For example, "If we don't leave now, "it will be late" when we arrive at the meeting".

What's a more formal alternative to "it will be late"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "it will be delayed", "it will be past the deadline", or "it will be overdue".

Is it correct to say "it is going to be late" instead of "it will be late"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct. "It is going to be late" implies a plan or intention, while ""it will be late"" is a more general statement about a future event.

Can "it will be late" refer to a person?

Yes, ""it will be late"" can refer to a person, but it's more common to say "they will be late" or "he/she will be late" for clarity.