we have late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have late" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be an attempt to express that something is overdue or that someone is late, but it lacks proper structure. Example: "We have late submissions that need to be addressed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We have late trains arrive on a different track, so that we have to run down the platform, up the stairs, over the tracks and then back down to the other platform.

The New York Times

With Shaw, whose fame didn't set in until his forties and whose "Saint Joan," which in effect won him the Nobel Prize, was written in his sixty-eighth year, we have late works that display little loss of muscle, because his muscles were always concentrated in his head — his mischievous quick eyes, his agile tongue.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Thus, we have late-night talk-show host David Letterman; consumer advocate Ralph Nader Harry Potterr author J.K. Rowling; and in case you've forgotten him, fugitive financier Robert Vesco.

The New York Times - Magazine

We had late night snacks at Jasmine - the blacked Mahi mahi tacos and flat breads were pretty good.

Huffington Post

"But we shouldn't have late fees worth 20, 30 or 40 dollars".

The Guardian

We have let late goals in in most games.

BBC

We've had late night specials and midday matinees.

The Guardian - Film

We have arrived late, with barely time to do some rides before the fireworks start.

The New York Times - Travel

Order! back to the agenda says Pogner: we have this late entry my friend Sir Stolzing.

The Guardian - Music

That's five games in the last month we have conceded late goals.

BBC

We have of late come to understand that sunrise and sunset are to her times of peculiar freedom.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey lateness or delays, ensure the phrase is grammatically correct. For example, use "we are late" or "we have late arrivals" instead of "we have late".

Common error

Avoid using "we have late" as it is grammatically incomplete and doesn't clearly convey the intended meaning. Always specify what is late (e.g., "we have late submissions") or use a complete alternative (e.g., "we are running late").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have late" is grammatically incorrect and does not function properly as a standard English phrase. Ludwig AI explains that it lacks proper structure and doesn't convey a clear meaning in written English. The intended meaning often requires context to be understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have late" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it requires additional context to be understood and is best avoided in formal writing. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "we are late", "we have late arrivals", or "we are running late" to clearly convey the intended meaning. The usage analysis indicates that while the phrase appears across various contexts, its incorrect structure makes it less reliable and professional. By using more precise and grammatically sound alternatives, writers can ensure their message is clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have late arrivals

Specifies that there are individuals or items arriving behind schedule.

we received late submissions

Focuses on receiving items after the specified deadline.

we are delayed

Corrects the grammatical structure to indicate a state of being delayed.

we are experiencing delays

Highlights the occurrence of delays as a current situation.

we are behind schedule

Indicates a general state of being behind the planned timeline.

we are running late

Indicates a delay in schedule, focusing on the action of being behind time.

we are tardy

Uses a single word to express that the group or entity is late.

we have missed deadlines

Highlights the consequence of lateness, focusing on unmet obligations.

we possess overdue items

Emphasizes the possession of items that are past their due date.

we have outstanding debts

Indicates a state of having debts that are not yet paid or settled.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to express that something is late when starting with "we"?

Instead of the grammatically incorrect phrase "we have late", use alternatives like "we are late" to indicate the group is behind schedule, or "we have late arrivals" to specify that some entities are arriving behind schedule.

What can I say instead of "we have late" to indicate delays?

You can use alternatives such as "we are delayed", "we are running late", or "we are behind schedule" to more clearly convey the meaning of being delayed.

Is "we have late" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "we have late" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use grammatically sound phrases such as "we have late submissions" or "we are experiencing delays" in formal writing.

How does the meaning change if I say "we are late" instead of "we have late"?

Saying "we are late" means that the group is behind schedule or tardy. The phrase "we have late" is grammatically incorrect, making the intended meaning unclear without additional context.