late in the process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "late in the process" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a point that occurs towards the end of a particular procedure or series of events. Example: "We discovered the error late in the process, which made it difficult to implement the necessary changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"They only called people in very late in the process to implement the decision".

The New York Times

But because they asked late in the process, the co-op board refused the request.

The New York Times

"That's pretty late in the process," said Mr. Mahanna, the Bloomberg adviser.

The New York Times

"It was too late in the process to make significant adjustments".

The New York Times

Shuck clams and oysters as late in the process as you can.

The New York Times - Food

Although it's late in the process, Congress must show fiscal discipline.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Why were the British raising this obstacle so late in the process?

The New Yorker

Titles are the hardest for me, and this one came along pretty late in the process.

Vice

Read part One of our investheseion of the derailment of the SEC here. .

Vice

Until now, the focus has been on the clumping together that takes place fairly late in the process.

TechCrunch

"For many homeowners it's late in the process for plans they may have already made".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "late in the process", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify which process you are referring to, especially if multiple processes are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "late in the process" without a clear reference to the process being discussed. This can lead to confusion if the reader is unsure which process you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late in the process" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs relative to a particular procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

30%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "late in the process" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something occurs near the end of a sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms that this prepositional phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding the process being referenced. Alternatives like "towards the end of the process" or "at a later stage" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By avoiding vague antecedents and considering the specific context, you can effectively use "late in the process" to convey precise timing in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towards the end of the process

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of nearing the conclusion of the process.

at a later stage in the process

Highlights a more advanced point in the sequence of events.

near the completion of the process

Focuses on the impending finalization of the process.

close to the end of the process

Indicates proximity to the termination of the activity.

in the final phase of the process

Specifies the last segment or stage of the ongoing activity.

at the tail end of the process

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe the concluding part of the process.

in the concluding stages of the process

Emphasizes the terminal phases of the procedure.

with the process nearing its end

Highlights that the process is approaching its termination.

as the process winds down

Suggests a gradual decrease in activity as the process concludes.

in the latter part of the process

Focuses on the second half or final segment of the process.

FAQs

How can I use "late in the process" in a sentence?

You can use "late in the process" to describe when an event or action occurs near the end of a particular sequence of events. For example, "We discovered the issue "late in the process", making it difficult to fix".

What's an alternative to saying "late in the process"?

Alternatives include "towards the end of the process", "at a later stage", or "near the completion". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "late in the process" or "at a later stage in the process"?

Both phrases are suitable for formal writing. "At a later stage in the process" might be slightly more formal, but ""late in the process"" is widely accepted and understood.

What does it mean when someone says something happened "late in the process"?

It means the event occurred near the end of a series of actions or steps. This can imply that it was difficult or inconvenient to address due to its timing.