the late one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the late one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who has passed away or to indicate something that is overdue or delayed. Example: "I was saddened to hear about the late one; he was a beloved member of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Before you were mine, your Ma stands at the close with a hiding for the late one.

The Guardian - Books

These shows are unlikely to change minds about which Vuillard was better — the pre- or the post-1900 model — but they make a convincing case for looking more thoughtfully at what the late one did.

The New York Times - Arts

(Two one-way trips are scheduled each night, and audiences can board in either Livingston for the early show or Bozeman for the late one; return passage is by bus).

The New York Times - Arts

And Simon Le Bon? Simon Le Bon is the late one, making his entrance after the rest of the band have already got started, in the way lead singers do.

The Guardian - Music

Hartnell, who had redeemed a miserable regular season with an inspired playoff campaign, had scored two of the Flyers' three goals in the game, including the late one that tied it up and sent it into overtime (and that stirred me — in the way upbeat text messages from friends could not — from a downhearted third-period funk, a sympathetic reaction to the fact that the Flyers looked totally gassed).

The New Yorker

If the garbling is moderate, the early system dominates the late one only if the reduction in noise over time is below a critical value.

Business Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Matic fitted in seamlessly and the home side were not flattered by the late one-two when the substitute Anthony Martial slotted in the third goal, quickly followed by the brilliantly effective Pogba knocking another in from 20 yards.

The Guardian - Sport

All the material from Radlands is greeted warmly, but it's the late one-two punch of Young Love and Two Doors Down that gets the crowd dancing, or at least swaying, in the constricted space.

The Guardian - Music

We are in the early days of innovative display technology, not the late ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

And then there are the late ones.

Los Angeles Times

More like "Paranormal Activity: The Late Ones," am I right?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be careful when using the phrase in technical or scientific contexts, clarifying which specific 'one' is being referenced, as it can be open to misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "the late one" when referring to someone who is simply delayed, as it may cause confusion with someone who has passed away. Use alternative phrases like "the delayed party" or "the one who is running late" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the late one" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it can denote a deceased person or something delayed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the late one" functions as a noun phrase with two primary meanings: referring to someone deceased or something delayed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in diverse contexts, spanning news, science, and formal communication. While generally neutral, the formality level can shift based on the context, as shown in the Ludwig examples. When clarity is paramount, especially when discussing deceased individuals, replacing "the late one" with clearer alternatives such as the person's name or "the deceased" is recommended to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the deceased one

Emphasizes the passing of someone; more formal and specifically refers to someone who has died.

the departed one

Similar to "the deceased one" but can also refer to someone who has left a place or situation.

the last one

Refers to the final item in a series, often implying a temporal sequence.

the latter one

Indicates the second of two items or people mentioned.

the tardy one

Refers to someone who is habitually late.

the delayed one

Refers to something that is overdue or has been postponed.

the evening one

Specific to events or occurrences that take place in the evening.

the last-minute one

Refers to something done or decided at the very last moment.

the fire one

Likely a reference to a fire-related situation or event; context-dependent.

the retarded one

An outdated and offensive term; use with extreme caution or avoid altogether.

FAQs

How can "the late one" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "the late one" can refer to a deceased person, as in, "We remember the late one fondly." It can also refer to something delayed or the last in a series. The meaning will depend on context.

What's a more formal way to say "the late one" when referring to someone who died?

A more formal alternative to "the late one", when referring to someone deceased, is "the deceased" or "the departed".

Is it appropriate to use "the late one" to describe someone who is running behind schedule?

While you can use "the late one" to describe someone running behind, it could cause confusion with someone who has died. Consider "the tardy one" or "the delayed one" instead.

Can "the late one" have a neutral meaning?

Yes, in contexts where it's clear you are referencing the final item in a sequence, without any negative connotations. In many contexts, consider "the last one" or "the latter one" instead.