terribly late

USAGE SUMMARY

"terribly late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that occurred significantly later than the expected time/deadline. Example: I arrived at the meeting terribly late, which made the other attendees quite irritated.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It's terribly late.

The New York Times - Books

Which is terribly late, isn't it?

The Guardian

He arrived terribly late, and found he was in illustrious company waiting around for a table.

The New York Times - Style

Though, 15 months after Madonna's onstage antics, Cyrus might be castigated less for the drug reference and more for being terribly late to the appropriation party.

The Guardian - Music

(as Ferlinghetti exclaimed), although the city's sophisticated residents will murmur only It gets so terribly late (Elizabeth Bishop, teasing a friend).

The New Yorker

Labour's recent conversion to the cause of higher public sector investment in education, health and transport is certainly welcome; but it comes terribly late.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is terribly early.

The Guardian

It's all terribly last century.

The Guardian - Film

Anything less will be a betrayal of the communities that flooded so terribly last winter".

The Guardian

It is terribly 1990s for rich governments to call the shots.

The Guardian

"It will be proved a gimmick if I come out and fail terribly today," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly late" to emphasize a significant degree of tardiness or when the lateness has noticeable consequences. It's stronger than simply saying 'late'.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly late" in every situation where something is late. Overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very late" or "extremely late" in less critical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly late" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to emphasize the degree of lateness. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English, as supported by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly late" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that intensifies the concept of lateness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples in news and media. While versatile, it's most impactful when the lateness is significant or carries consequences. When emphasizing a strong degree of tardiness, this is a great option, otherwise, simpler alternatives like "very late" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely late

Emphasizes the degree of lateness more directly.

very late

A simpler and more common way to express lateness.

considerably late

Highlights the significance of the lateness.

significantly late

Similar to 'considerably late', stressing the importance of being late.

far too late

Adds a sense of regret or negative consequence to the lateness.

unacceptably late

Focuses on the inappropriateness or unacceptability of the lateness.

appallingly late

Emphasizes the shocking or dreadful nature of the lateness.

excessively late

Highlights that the lateness exceeded reasonable limits.

remarkably late

Draws attention to the surprising or noteworthy degree of lateness.

ridiculously late

Suggests the lateness is absurd or unreasonable.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly late" to emphasize significant tardiness. For example, "He arrived "terribly late" for the meeting, causing considerable disruption."

What phrases are similar to "terribly late"?

Alternatives include "extremely late", "considerably late", or "significantly late". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "terribly late"?

While grammatically correct, "terribly late" is best used when the lateness is substantial or has significant repercussions. In less serious situations, simpler alternatives are often more suitable.

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

"Terribly late" intensifies the degree of lateness more than "very late". Use "terribly" when you want to highlight the severity or impact of the lateness.