pretty late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time that is later than expected or usual, often in a casual context. Example: "I didn't expect to be out this late; it's pretty late to be driving home now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was pretty late.

The New York Times - Travel

"He stayed pretty late, I think".

The New York Times

"It's pretty late in the day".

The New York Times

"It's pretty late in the season.

The New York Times - Sports

"You want to see a movie?" "It's pretty late".

The New Yorker

—ISOLDE RAFTERY LATE TO RISE I'm a pretty late person.

The New York Times

I play it until pretty late," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's pretty late and you haven't even left Boston yet.

The New York Times - Travel

"We went out, stayed out pretty late," Schottenstein said.

The New Yorker

The uncertainty about whether it will be great or not lasts pretty late in the process".

Independent

"It's pretty late," Bernadette said as they headed toward the car.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty late" in informal contexts to soften the statement, making it less direct than "very late".

Common error

Avoid using "pretty late" in formal documents or academic papers; opt for more professional alternatives such as "rather late" or "quite late".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty late" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something is late. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It modifies verbs or adjectives to indicate a state of being later than usual or expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for describing a situation that is later than expected or usual, particularly in informal or neutral contexts. It functions to soften the sense of lateness. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in formal academic or professional writing, where alternatives like "rather late" or "quite late" may be more appropriate. Given its high frequency in reputable news sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, it's considered a standard and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather late

Emphasizes the lateness to a slightly lesser degree than "pretty late".

quite late

Similar in meaning and intensity to "pretty late", indicating a notable degree of lateness.

very late

Directly states that something is late, without the softening effect of "pretty".

somewhat late

Indicates a moderate degree of lateness.

getting late

Suggests that the time is approaching lateness, a gradual process.

late in the day

Implies that something is happening near the end of a period or opportunity.

behind schedule

Focuses on the lateness in terms of a missed deadline or planned timeframe.

past the deadline

Specifically indicates that a deadline has been missed.

tardily

A more formal adverb indicating lateness.

at an advanced hour

Euphemistically refers to lateness, often in a formal or literary context.

FAQs

What does "pretty late" mean?

"Pretty late" means that something is later than expected or usual. It's a way to describe lateness in a relatively informal and mild manner.

What can I say instead of "pretty late"?

You can use alternatives like "rather late", "quite late", or "very late" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "pretty late"?

Yes, "pretty late" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English, especially in informal settings.

When is it not appropriate to use "pretty late"?

It might not be appropriate in formal or academic writing, where more precise and professional language is expected. In such cases, consider using "rather late" or "at an advanced hour".