well past time

USAGE SUMMARY

'well past time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to talk about how an event or action is long overdue or has already happened after the expected or planned time. For example, "The school year ended well past time, after almost six months of remote learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is well past time.

The New York Times

In fact it's well past time.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's well past time for lunch.

The Washington Post

It's well past time, she says, to start the day.

The New Yorker

It is well past time for Congress to repeal it.

The New York Times

Well past time for reform of this failing system.

The Guardian - Sport

It's well past time we started talking about the alternative.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is well past time to honor their legacy.

The Washington Post

It's well past time that parliament followed suit.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's well past time to get rid of it.

The Washington Post

It is well past time that New York City was forced to correct its failure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well past time" to emphasize that an action or decision is significantly overdue. It adds a stronger sense of urgency compared to simply saying "it's time."

Common error

Avoid using "well past time" in situations that only require a gentle nudge. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the delay is substantial and carries implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well past time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action should occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well past time" is a phrase used to convey that something is significantly overdue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to emphasize urgency. When writing, reserve it for situations where the delay is substantial. Alternatives include "long overdue" and "high time". While generally neutral to formal, consider your audience to ensure appropriate communication. The phrase is very common indicating situations where the need for urgency should be emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long overdue

This alternative emphasizes the delay and the need for action.

high time

A more concise way of saying that something should be done now.

overdue

Focuses on the fact that something is late or has not been done when it should have been.

it's about time

An informal expression indicating impatience for something that should have already happened.

the time is ripe

Implies that the conditions are now perfect for action.

it is late in the day

Suggests that there is little time left to take action.

time is of the essence

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of acting quickly.

the moment is at hand

Indicates that the anticipated time for action has arrived.

it's getting late

A more casual way of pointing out that something should be addressed soon.

the clock is ticking

Highlights the limited time available and the need for immediate action.

FAQs

How do I use "well past time" in a sentence?

Use "well past time" to emphasize that something should have happened much earlier. For example, "It's "well past time" for the government to address climate change."

What can I say instead of "well past time"?

You can use alternatives like "long overdue", "high time", or "overdue" depending on the context.

Is "well past time" formal or informal?

"Well past time" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for both news articles and professional communication. However, consider your audience when choosing between ""well past time"" and more informal alternatives.

What's the difference between "well past time" and "it's time"?

"Well past time" indicates a greater degree of urgency and implies that the action should have been taken much earlier. "It's time" is a more general statement that the moment is right for action. Using ""well past time"" adds emphasis to the overdue nature of the action.