not late

USAGE SUMMARY

"not late" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is not arriving or doing something after the designated time. For example: "I need to get to the store before it closes, so I can't be not late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not late for me".

The New York Times - Sports

He's not late.

The New York Times

It was February 2012, not late 2011.

The New York Times

PREMINGER (with satisfaction): We are not late.

The New Yorker

"Make sure you're not late".

The Guardian

"We're not late — we're early".

The New York Times

He's not late for meetings.

The Guardian - Sport

"You're not late," I said.

The New Yorker

"I was not late!!" he insisted.

The New Yorker

And the British, unlike Haitians, are not late.

The New York Times

But our budget was not late, the legislators objected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing a positive aspect, consider using "on time" or "punctual" instead of "not late" for a more direct and affirmative tone.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple negative statements, as it can make your writing confusing. For example, instead of saying "It's not that he's not late", consider saying "He's on time" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not late" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to negate the state of being late. According to Ludwig AI, it affirms the subject's adherence to a scheduled time. Examples include "You're not late" and "He is not late for meetings."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate punctuality or timeliness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While "not late" is commonly used, it's often more effective to use positive phrasing like "on time" for a more direct tone. Analysis of Ludwig's data shows the phrase appears frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts, indicating its versatility across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on time

A more direct and commonly used synonym for being punctual.

in time

A concise way of saying someone is not running behind schedule.

not delayed

Focuses on the absence of delay rather than the presence of punctuality.

punctual

Adjective describing someone who arrives at the expected time.

in good time

Implies having enough time to spare, differing slightly from just not being late.

arriving early

Highlights arriving before the expected time, as opposed to simply not being late.

ahead of schedule

Focuses on completing something before the deadline, broadening the context from just arrival.

within the deadline

Emphasizes adherence to a specific time limit.

meeting the deadline

Focuses on completing a task by the specified time.

making good time

Implies progress is being made efficiently, ensuring timely arrival.

FAQs

What does "not late" mean?

The phrase "not late" means arriving or completing something at or before the expected or scheduled time; it implies punctuality or timeliness.

How can I use "not late" in a sentence?

You can use "not late" to indicate that someone arrived on time, as in "He made sure he was "on time" for the meeting and was therefore "not late".

What are some alternatives to saying "not late"?

Alternatives to "not late" include "on time", "punctual", or "within the deadline" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "on time" or "not late"?

While both phrases are correct, "on time" is generally preferred as it's more direct and positive. "Not late" can be used, but it's often seen as a less emphatic way of expressing punctuality.