running very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running very late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is significantly delayed or behind schedule. Example: "I apologize for the delay; I'm running very late due to unexpected traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Trouble was, the trains at RIM (which rebranded itself BlackBerry in January 2013) were running very late.

The Guardian - Tech

If the doctor is running very late, parents should certainly let baby sitters or workmates know that they are stuck at the doctor's office.

The New York Times - Health

(The closest competitors on the publisher's account books are Herman Hesse, for "Siddhartha," and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, for "A Coney Island of the Mind"). The publication of the new edition of "The Glass Menagerie" was a tight-run thing: stock of the high-school edition was running low, and Kushner, who had been commissioned to write a couple of thousand words, was running very late.

The New Yorker

The publication of the new edition of "The Glass Menagerie" was a tight-run thing: stock of the high-school edition was running low, and Kushner, who had been commissioned to write a couple of thousand words, was running very late.

The New Yorker

Niall Stokes, editor of Hot Press magazine, said he felt the programming for the Peace One Day concert was running very late.

BBC

By 1998, it became apparent that the high-end Wintel architecture was running very late, leaving HP with no insurance against Sun.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Where were you?" They had been at a school drama performance that had run very late.

The New Yorker

His shoots rarely run very late or involve a crazy range of takes.

The New Yorker

A White House aide later said that Mr. Trump's schedule had run very late that day and that he was exhausted.

The New York Times

And before Mr. Clinton took the stage here in Delray Beach — yes, he often still runs very late — a parade of local Democratic officials warmed up the crowd, with speakers offering sharp criticism of President Bush.

The New York Times

But it is, after many months of promising that we'd leave as planned, the first time she has had to acknowledge it might run very late.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "running very late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed, whether it's a person, a project, or an event. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "running very late" in situations where the delay is minimal or expected. The phrase implies a significant and usually problematic lateness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running very late" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a subject to indicate a state of significant delay. It is commonly used to describe people, events, or processes that are behind schedule. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Health

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "running very late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a state of significant delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It is most often found in news and media contexts but is also appropriate for general conversation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is being delayed. While versatile, it is best reserved for situations involving substantial lateness to maintain its intended impact. If you need an alternative, consider phrases like "severely delayed" or "considerably behind schedule".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely delayed

Emphasizes the degree of lateness, focusing on the significant delay.

significantly delayed

Like "severely delayed", stresses the magnitude of the delay.

considerably behind schedule

Highlights being significantly behind the planned timeline.

delayed substantially

Similar to significantly delayed but uses "substantially" to highlight the amount of delay.

running far behind

A more concise way to express being considerably behind schedule.

far behind time

Focuses on the extent of the delay in relation to the expected time.

behind the expected time

Specifies being late in comparison to a set expectation.

extremely tardy

Uses a more formal term, "tardy", to describe a high degree of lateness.

experiencing a major delay

Shifts the focus to the experience of the delay.

long overdue

Indicates that something should have happened much earlier.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "running very late"?

To be "running very late" means that someone or something is significantly behind schedule or delayed beyond an acceptable timeframe.

What can I say instead of "running very late"?

You can use alternatives like "severely delayed", "considerably behind schedule", or "significantly delayed" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "running very late"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "running very late". It follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both spoken and written language.

How formal is the phrase "running very late"?

The phrase "running very late" is considered neutral in formality. It can be used in most contexts, from informal conversations to news reports.