slightly late

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something arrived or happened later than expected. For example: "The train was slightly late, so we had to wait 10 extra minutes at the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fay moved little, and intensified slightly late on September 6.

Wikipedia

It maintained these winds for approximately 18 hours, before weakening slightly late on September 14.

Wikipedia

When he comes to, he finds himself in civilian clothes aboard a crowded commuter train arriving slightly late into Chicago on a glorious summer morning.

The Guardian - Film

(It's a Christmas story, so apologies for the slightly late notice; but your tree may still be up, and I'm told the holiday's not really over until Epiphany anyway).

Los Angeles Times

A $100m summer blockbuster about a man making people slightly late for things?

The Guardian - Film

Janet is slightly late for our meeting because she and Gemma have been delivering Christmas presents to former street workers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a slightly late bloomer, which is encouraging considering those "school's out" legs for the next week and change.

Forbes

Columnist Simon Heffer came slightly late to the party, but sought to make up for his late arrival by filing over 1,500 words denouncing Ebdon and all his works.

The Guardian

We arrived slightly late, at 7.30.

The Guardian - Books

Being only slightly late is always an achievement.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The shares rallied slightly late last week, closing at $11.02 on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a delay in formal context, follow "slightly late" with a brief explanation to mitigate potential negative perception.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly late" excessively in professional communications when a precise time is expected. Use alternative phrasing such as "delayed by [X] minutes" for increased clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly late" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree or extent of lateness. Ludwig's examples demonstrate how it qualifies actions or states, indicating a minor deviation from a scheduled time or expected occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly late" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a minor degree of tardiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as in general conversational writing. When using "slightly late", remember that it is most effective for downplaying a minor delay. For precise or highly formal situations, consider alternatives that offer greater clarity or detail. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in professional contexts where you should provide a clear and precise explanation of delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a tad late

Replaces "slightly" with "just a tad", adding a touch of informality.

somewhat delayed

Replaces "late" with "delayed", focusing on the action of delaying.

a touch late

Uses "a touch" to mean "slightly".

a bit tardy

Uses "tardy" instead of "late", implying a formal tone.

running a little behind

Focuses on the action of "running behind" instead of the state of being late.

a little behind time

Uses "behind time" instead of "late", offering a more casual tone.

marginally behind schedule

More formal and emphasizes the schedule aspect.

belated by a fraction

Uses "belated" and "fraction" for a more precise and often formal tone.

fashionably late (in a joking way)

Implies intentional lateness, often used humorously.

just after the appointed time

Formal and indirect way of indicating lateness.

FAQs

How to use "slightly late" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly late" to describe a minor delay in various situations. For example: "The train was "slightly late", but we still made it on time."

What can I say instead of "slightly late"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit tardy", "somewhat delayed", or "marginally behind schedule" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slightly late" or "a little late"?

Both "slightly late" and "a little late" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the desired tone, with "slightly late" sounding marginally more formal.

What's the difference between "slightly late" and "very late"?

"Slightly late" indicates a minor delay that is not particularly concerning. "Very late", on the other hand, indicates a significant delay that may cause problems or require explanation.