not too late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is still time to take action or make a decision before a deadline or cutoff point. Example: "I thought I had missed the deadline for the application, but it turns out it's not too late to submit it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's not too late for Eve.

Huffington Post

Yes, it's late in the day, but not too late.

Huffington Post

It's not too late".

The New York Times

Not too late.

Forbes

It's still not too late.

The Economist

It is not too late.

The New York Times

It's not too late, Punky.

The New Yorker

IT'S not too late.

The New York Times - Food

Hope it's not too late!

Cornell University

"I pray it's not too late".

The New York Times - Sports

Tell me it's not too late.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not too late" to offer encouragement or hope when suggesting that a situation can still be improved or a goal achieved. For example: "It might seem daunting, but it's "not too late" to start exercising and improve your health."

Common error

Avoid using "not too late" when the opportunity has genuinely passed or the situation is irreversible. Ensure there is a realistic chance for positive change before employing the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too late" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that there is still time to take action or for something to happen. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and frequently used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not too late" functions as a encouraging adverbial phrase, often used to suggest that an opportunity remains or that a situation can still be salvaged. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring that a genuine possibility for positive change exists. Related phrases like "still time" and "opportunity remains" can serve as effective alternatives depending on the specific context. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still time

Indicates that there remains an opportunity to act.

not too far gone

Suggests the situation hasn't deteriorated beyond recovery.

room to manoeuvre

Implies flexibility remains for making adjustments or changes.

chance remains

Highlights that a possibility is still present.

opportunity remains

Emphasizes that an advantage or prospect is still available.

not the end of the road

Suggests that setbacks don't signify complete failure.

not a lost cause

Implies that efforts can still be successful.

scope for improvement

Indicates potential for positive changes.

time is on our side

Indicates that there's adequate time to take action.

window of opportunity

Points out that the moment for action is still open.

FAQs

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

The phrase "not too late" is often used to express that an opportunity or chance for action still exists. For example, "I know you feel you've missed your chance, but it's "not too late" to apply."

What can I say instead of "not too late"?

You can use alternatives like "still time", "not too far gone", or "opportunity remains" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not too late"?

Yes, "not too late" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause.

What is the difference between "not too late" and "never too late"?

"Not too late" suggests that there is still some time or opportunity remaining, while "never too late" emphasizes that it is always possible to start something or make a change, regardless of how much time has passed. "Not too late" implies some urgency, while "never too late" suggests timelessness.