relatively late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs later than expected or compared to other events or instances. Example: "The project was completed relatively late in the year, causing some delays in the overall timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most greens are relatively late.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I started running relatively late in life.

Princeton University

Activism came relatively late to Mr. Lesko.

The New York Times

In truth, they adopted tanning relatively late.

The Guardian - Opinion

"These alternatives have appeared relatively late.

MIT Technology Review

Google was relatively late to this territory.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet he came to ballet relatively late.

The Guardian

Firestein came to science relatively late, too.

Nature

Mitrovic had a relatively late start to his career.

Princeton University

It was developed relatively late in the Digital Michelangelo Project.

Stanford University

Partly, that's because it is usually detected relatively late.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively late", consider the context to ensure the reader understands the point of comparison. For instance, clarify what is considered 'early' or 'on time' to provide a clearer understanding of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively late" without providing a reference point. Without context, the phrase can be vague and leave the reader unsure of what is being compared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively late" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something is late. It qualifies verbs and adjectives to indicate that an action or event occurred later than expected or usual. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relatively late" serves as an adverbial modifier to indicate a degree of lateness compared to an expectation or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signifying its appropriateness for objective and informative writing. When employing "relatively late", ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the comparison for your readers. Alternatives like "comparatively late" or "fairly late" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively late

Emphasizes a comparison to another time or event.

fairly late

Indicates a moderate degree of lateness.

somewhat delayed

Focuses on the aspect of being delayed to some extent.

a bit behind schedule

Refers to a slight deviation from the planned timing.

belatedly

Highlights the action happening after the appropriate time.

later than usual

Implies a deviation from the typical or expected timing.

tardily

Suggests a formal or somewhat negative connotation of lateness.

in the later stages

Shifts focus to the progression of a process or event.

at a later date

Specifies that something will occur at a future, delayed time.

with some delay

Highlights the presence of a delay in the timing.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively late" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively late" to indicate that something happens later than expected or later than a comparable event. For example, "He started his career relatively late in life" or "The discovery was made relatively late in the research process".

What are some alternatives to "relatively late"?

Alternatives include "comparatively late", "fairly late", or "somewhat delayed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "relatively late" or "late"?

"Relatively late" implies a comparison or context, suggesting something is late compared to something else. "Late" is more general. Use "relatively late" when you want to emphasize the comparative aspect.

Can "relatively late" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "relatively late" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to provide a nuanced description of timing in comparison to a specific benchmark or expectation. See examples in academic and news media contexts above.