late enough for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "late enough for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain time has arrived or passed, making it suitable for an action or event to take place. Example: "I think it's late enough for us to start the movie now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Apple blossoms were late enough for the hummingbirds.

The New Yorker

CHRIS WARD, 23, didn't go to McDonald's much because it wasn't open late enough for after-hours snacks.

The New York Times

After that, Cal will have a bath and go to bed and Dad'll drink beer and smoke until it's late enough for him to sleep.

The Guardian - Books

By midnight, the group decided it was late enough for them to leave the pool hall and to move around the city discreetly.

The New York Times

It was evening, but not late enough for the broken drunks or the seasonal fight victims – goodwill to all men unless they're looking at my bird – to start arriving.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grab a table if you're arriving late enough for the restaurant section to have emptied, and make the barman get his big grinder out by ordering a mandarinha – Beija-Flor cachaça, mandarin syrup, lime juice and black pepper.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

That's because her live version of "Set Fire to the Rain" was released late enough to qualify for this year's cycle and is nominated for best female pop vocal performance.

The New York Times - Arts

It frequently passes over southern South America late enough in the spring for major UV damage, and in summer the broken-up ozone hole contributes to significant hemisphere-wide ozone loss.

Advances in Space Research

Day One | Day TwoDay OneIt is October in Istanbul, late enough in the year for the eyeball-melting heat of summer to have passed, yet not too late to be caught out by winter.

The Economist

But it is also late enough to be hungry for dessert, and a dry brut Champagne may not be the best choice to pair with a baked alaska or chocolate mousse cake.

The New York Times - Food

Perhaps the rain had caused them to seek shelter, and it was not late enough in the day for them to begin their evening feeding frenzy.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "late enough for" to clearly indicate that a certain time has passed, making a subsequent action appropriate or possible. It is useful when specifying a condition based on timing.

Common error

Avoid using "late enough for" when you simply mean "too late". The phrase implies a threshold being met, not necessarily a negative outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late enough for" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates that a particular time or point has been reached, making a subsequent action or event suitable or possible. As Ludwig shows, this construction clarifies temporal conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "late enough for" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate that a certain time has passed, making an action or event appropriate. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts. It's important to use it when specifying a temporal condition that enables something. While versatile, it should not be confused with "too late for", which conveys a missed opportunity. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its broad applicability and neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently late for

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing adequacy or suitability in terms of lateness.

late enough to

Simplifies the structure, focusing on the lateness reaching a point where an action is possible.

not too early for

Expresses the idea from the opposite perspective, indicating that the time is appropriate and not premature.

the right time for

Generalizes the lateness to the idea of overall suitability of timing.

past the deadline for

Focuses on exceeding a specific deadline, suggesting it's permissibly late.

appropriate time for

Shifts emphasis to the appropriateness of the timing, rather than just the lateness.

suitable hour for

Replaces "late" with a specific time reference, indicating an acceptable hour.

when the time is ripe for

Uses a more figurative expression, suggesting the conditions are mature and ready.

when it's acceptable for

Focuses on the permissibility of doing something at that later time.

after the designated time for

Emphasizes the passing of a set time, making the current time acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "late enough for" in a sentence?

Use "late enough for" to express that a certain time is suitable or permissible for something to occur. For example, "It's "late enough for" the kids to be in bed."

What are some alternatives to "late enough for"?

You can use alternatives such as "sufficiently late for", "late enough to", or "not too early for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "late enough for"?

Yes, "late enough for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that a certain time has passed, making an action or event appropriate.

What's the difference between "late enough for" and "too late for"?

"Late enough for" implies that a suitable time has arrived, whereas "too late for" indicates that an opportunity has been missed. For example, "It's "late enough for" dinner" suggests it's an appropriate time, while "It's "too late for" the train" means the train has already departed.