late may

USAGE SUMMARY

'late May' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the month of May that has passed, or that is about to pass. For example, "I started my vacation in late May."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Ducklings from late April to late May.

Independent

The late May protest was her first at Qalandiya.

The New York Times

Late May in Singapore.

BBC

Things may become clearer in late May.

The Economist

Late May, Central India.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She arrived in late May.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Opens late May/early June.

The New York Times

That was the lowest level since late May.

The New York Times

It has been below $1 since late May.

Forbes

Talks could begin in late May or early June.

The New York Times

I arrived in late May 1994.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events in "late May", be specific enough to differentiate from early or mid-May to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "late May" when the exact date is known; using a precise date adds clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late May" functions as an adverbial of time, specifying when something happens or is scheduled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "late May" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that functions as an adverbial of time. It serves to indicate a timeframe near the end of the month of May and is suitable for various contexts, mainly within news and media, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its usage is common, clarity can be improved by using specific dates when available. Related phrases include "end of May" and "latter part of May". Key authoritative sources that frequently employ the phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end of May

This alternative focuses on the termination point of the month.

latter part of May

It provides a more descriptive way to specify a time within May.

towards the end of May

It emphasizes the progression toward the end of the month.

May's end

This alternative provides a concise and slightly more poetic way of expressing the same timeframe.

final days of May

This highlights the last few days specifically.

the tail end of May

Informal and visually descriptive of the concluding portion of May.

close of May

Formal alternative, emphasizing the conclusion of the month.

May ending

Shorter and more direct way to express that May is coming to an end.

the week of May 25th

More specific alternative by designating a week near the end of May.

late spring

This gives a broader seasonal context instead of a specific month.

FAQs

What does "late May" mean?

"Late May" refers to the period towards the end of May, typically the last week or ten days of the month.

What can I say instead of "late May"?

You can use alternatives like "end of May", "latter part of May", or "towards the end of May" depending on the context.

Is it okay to say "late May" or should I specify a date?

While "late May" is acceptable for general references, using a specific date provides greater clarity and reduces potential ambiguity.

How is "late May" used in sentences?

"Late May" is commonly used to indicate when an event occurred or is scheduled to occur, such as "The meeting is scheduled for late May."