kind of late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is somewhat or relatively late, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I know it's kind of late to ask, but could you help me with my project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is getting kind of late.

The New Yorker

"It's kind of late to be raising these issues".

The New York Times

"It's kind of late to put that up.

The New York Times

But what kind of late style is that?

The New York Times - Books

The piece is both a new kind of late Conceptual art and a public service.

The New York Times - Arts

That kind of late goal would have crushed many teams, but not Canada, not Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In the early Nineties, Cross's work sometimes seemed to be a kind of late-flourishing Surrealism.

The Guardian - Arts

It was the correct diagnosis, a trick he ascribed to some kind of late-night karma.

The New York Times

Anti-abortion advocates had apparently succeeded by conflating one kind of late-term abortion with all abortion.

The New York Times - Magazine

The locker room, full of swaddled bodies dusted with baby powder, is a kind of late-life nursery.

The New Yorker

At The Sun-Sentinel, editors had the same kind of late-night conference, and came to a different conclusion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of late" to soften a statement, making it less direct or critical. For example, instead of saying "You're late", try "You're kind of late today".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "kind of" in your writing. While it's acceptable in casual conversation, relying on it too heavily can make your writing sound less confident. Replace it with more precise language when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of late" functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the adjective "late". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to indicate a degree of tardiness without being overly direct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of late" is a commonly used, grammatically correct expression that functions as an adverbial modifier to soften the adjective "late". As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary purpose is to express a mild degree of tardiness in an informal context. While it appears in news and media, it's best suited for conversational or narrative writing where a less direct tone is desired. Remember to avoid overusing "kind of" as a filler and consider more precise alternatives like "somewhat late" or "slightly late" for a more formal or impactful effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat late

Replaces "kind of" with a more formal adverb, indicating a degree of lateness.

a bit late

Uses "a bit" instead of "kind of", providing a slightly less formal tone.

a little late

Similar to "a bit late", but with a slightly different emphasis.

slightly late

Employs "slightly" for a more concise and direct expression of mild lateness.

rather late

Uses "rather" to convey a more noticeable degree of lateness.

somewhat tardy

Substitutes "late" with "tardy", offering a more formal synonym.

relatively late

Adds a comparative aspect, suggesting lateness in relation to something else.

belatedly

Expresses the idea of lateness as an adverb, focusing on the action being delayed.

delayed

A more direct synonym for late, emphasizing the fact that something has been postponed or is behind.

behind schedule

Indicates that something is not happening according to the planned timeline.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of late" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of late" to express that something is somewhat or relatively late. For example, "It's "kind of late" to start this project now", or "I'm "kind of late" for my appointment".

What are some alternatives to saying "kind of late"?

You can use alternatives such as "somewhat late", "a bit late", or "slightly late" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of late"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "kind of late". The phrase is a common idiom used to express a degree of lateness. However, it is more appropriate in informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "kind of late" versus "very late"?

"Kind of late" implies a mild degree of lateness, while "very late" suggests a significant delay. Use ""kind of late"" when you want to soften the statement or indicate that the lateness is not severe. Use "very late" when emphasizing the severity of the delay.