very late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very late" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a time that is later than expected or desired. For example, "We arrived at the party very late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very late.

The Guardian - Arts

(You're late. Very late).

The New York Times

"It was very late".

The New Yorker

She came in very late.

The New Yorker

The patient is very late.

The New York Times - Health

Mr Rangel was very late.

The Economist

"It's very late," I said.

The New Yorker

"He started out very late.

Independent

We talked until very late.

The New York Times

Open very late.

The New York Times - Travel

PL: Very late.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very late" to clearly indicate a significant degree of tardiness or delay. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "very late" is acceptable, consider stronger synonyms like "extremely late" or "considerably delayed" to add more impact to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very late" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "late". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It specifies the degree to which something is delayed or tardy, providing additional context to the timing of an event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. It intensifies the adjective "late", indicating a significant degree of delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register and serves to emphasize the extent of tardiness. When writing, consider stronger synonyms for more impact, but "very late" remains a clear and acceptable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far too late

Emphasizes that the lateness has negative consequences or missed opportunities.

extremely tardy

Indicates an exceptional degree of lateness.

considerably delayed

Emphasizes the extent of the delay.

delayed significantly

Highlights that the action or event suffered significant delays.

significantly behind schedule

Highlights the deviation from the planned timeline.

well past the deadline

Focuses on missing a specific cutoff time.

behind time

General expression indicating not on schedule.

long overdue

Implies that something should have happened much earlier.

after hours

Specifies an activity that happened after the typical business hours or an event happened after its scheduled time.

belatedly

Adverb form indicating something is done or happens late.

FAQs

How to use "very late" in a sentence?

You can use "very late" to describe an arrival, a submission, or any event that occurs significantly past the expected time. For instance, "The train arrived "very late" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What can I say instead of "very late"?

You can use alternatives like "considerably delayed", "extremely tardy", or "long overdue" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very late"?

Yes, the phrase ""very late"" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to indicate a significant delay or tardiness.

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

"Late" simply indicates that something is not on time. "Very late" emphasizes a more significant degree of lateness than just "late".