very late indeed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very late indeed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the lateness of an event or action, often in a somewhat formal or literary context. Example: "The train arrived very late indeed, causing many passengers to miss their connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We are very late indeed".

The New York Times

Six months is considered very late indeed.

The Guardian - Books

The plant is naturalised widely in and around churchyards: I use the word naturalised here with care, for current consensus has it that the common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is not a native of our islands, but is simply an escapee from gardens: the first records of the plant in the wild date from as late as 1778, very late indeed for such well-botanised lands.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One may argue that is it better to seek advice "later than never," but Sarah's timing is very late indeed.

Science Magazine

The herd is almost always wrong and gets its news very late indeed and doesn't do timely and proper research ahead of time.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Then Wolfgang approached the notable German director Peter Stein – who gave up on the project in September 1974, at a very late stage indeed, forced out by Wolfgang's refusal to allow the director to abandon for his production the orchestra-pit cover which ensured the famous Bayreuth sound.

The Guardian - Music

In the case of our education issue, that idea — to ask all sorts of influential and creative and inspiring people about the formative educational moments of their lives — was very, very late-breaking, indeed.

The New York Times

This finding demonstrates that even those, whose LPC care was discontinued, were indeed at a very late stage of their life.

BMC Palliative Care

Indeed, often ESRD is detected at a very late stage or comorbidities limit the safety of kidney transplantation.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Indeed, there is already evidence that TssH is recruited very late, since it associates with contracted TssBC sheaths [ 39, 53].

Biochemical Journal

(You're late. Very late).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very late indeed" to add emphasis and a touch of formality to your writing when describing something that is significantly delayed. It works well when a simple 'late' is not strong enough.

Common error

Avoid using "very late indeed" too frequently in your writing, as it can sound repetitive or overly formal. Vary your language by using synonyms like "extremely tardy" or "considerably delayed" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very late indeed" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause, adding emphasis to the extent of lateness. It underscores the degree to which something is delayed beyond the expected or acceptable time. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very late indeed" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to emphasize lateness. It adds a formal touch to your writing, making it suitable for professional and news contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's essential to use it judiciously, as overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using alternatives like "extremely tardy" or "considerably delayed" to vary your language. The phrase is relatively rare, but effective for adding emphasis when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely tardy

This alternative uses a different adjective to intensify the meaning of being late.

considerably delayed

This phrase uses a different verb to express the lateness, focusing on the delay aspect.

significantly behind schedule

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the deviation from the expected timeline.

well past the deadline

This option specifies being late in relation to a previously agreed target time.

long overdue

This expresses that something is late and should have happened a long time ago.

noticeably behind

This alternative uses a more general term, implying lateness without being too specific.

quite behind time

This option replaces "very late" with "quite behind time" to convey a similar sense of lateness.

substantially postponed

This phrase focuses on the postponement aspect, emphasizing the considerable delay.

remarkably belated

This uses 'belated' implying something is past its expected time, and 'remarkably' stresses the extent.

inordinately delayed

This option uses 'inordinately', which signifies excessive or disproportionate delay, indicating a considerable degree of lateness.

FAQs

How can I use "very late indeed" in a sentence?

You can use "very late indeed" to emphasize the lateness of something. For example: "The delivery was "very late indeed", and we missed the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "very late indeed"?

Alternatives include "extremely tardy", "considerably delayed", or "significantly behind schedule". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "very late indeed" appropriate for all writing contexts?

While grammatically correct, "very late indeed" leans towards formal or literary contexts. For casual writing, simpler alternatives like "really late" or "super late" might be more suitable.

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

The addition of "indeed" to "very late" amplifies the emphasis on the lateness. It adds a stronger sense of affirmation and formality compared to the simpler "very late".