work late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to talk about staying at work later than usual. For example: "I had to work late last night to finish the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We often work late.

The New York Times

I work late".

The New York Times

You work late.

The New Yorker

"People have kids, they work late.

The New York Times

I work late, work weekends.

The New York Times - Arts

How often do you work late?

The Guardian - Money

He would work late into the night.

The Guardian

New York Magazine reports: "You work late.

The Guardian

Why do you need to work late?

The Guardian - Money

She'll probably just work late on Tuesday.

The New York Times

You work late and have dinner at the restaurant.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the news that you will "work late", offer a specific timeframe or end time to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating you will "work late" without providing context. Clarify if it's due to a deadline, project requirement, or unexpected issue to avoid misinterpretations or concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work late" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of continuing one's job beyond the regular or expected hours. Ludwig provides numerous examples confirming its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work late" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe extending one's work hours beyond the usual time. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, providing context about the reason for working late helps clarify the situation. Alternatives like "put in extra hours" or "stay after hours" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, "work late" is a versatile and easily understood phrase for describing extended work periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

log extra time at work

Focuses on recording additional work time, often for tracking or compensation.

put in extra hours

Focuses on the additional hours spent working, rather than the time of day.

keep working until late

A more descriptive way of saying working late, highlighting the continuous effort.

stay after hours

Emphasizes remaining at the workplace beyond the normal closing time.

extend working hours

Formally describes the act of prolonging the time spent working.

work overtime

Specifically refers to working beyond the standard working hours, often with additional pay.

work beyond schedule

Indicates working outside the planned or expected work timetable.

burn the midnight oil

An idiomatic expression for working very late into the night.

remain on duty past closing

Highlights the obligation of staying at work after the official end of the workday.

work until the wee hours

Similar to "burn the midnight oil", emphasizing working until the early morning.

FAQs

How can I politely decline to "work late"?

You can politely decline by explaining prior commitments or offering alternative solutions. For instance, you might say, "I have prior commitments this evening, but I'm happy to come in early tomorrow" or "I can prioritize this task and complete it first thing tomorrow morning".

What are some alternatives to saying "I have to work late"?

You can use alternatives like "I have to "put in extra hours"", "I need to "stay after hours"", or "I'll be "working overtime depending on the context"".

Is it better to "work late" or start early?

It depends on your personal preference and work style. Some people are more productive in the morning, while others find it easier to "work late" when there are fewer distractions. Consider your energy levels and the nature of the tasks to decide what's best for you.

How do I avoid having to "work late" regularly?

Effective time management, prioritization, and delegation are key to avoiding frequent late nights. Communicate deadlines clearly, break down large tasks into smaller steps, and learn to say no to additional commitments when necessary.