worked late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to working past a certain time or working into the evening. For example, "I worked late last night to finish the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Both his parents worked late.

Independent

He often worked late.

The New York Times - Magazine

He worked late into the night, frequently going without sleep.

The New Yorker

This meant that she always worked late on Saturdays.

The New Yorker

He worked late into the night and rose early.

The Guardian

Officers worked late into the night, keeping neighbors from the scene of bloodstained snow.

The New York Times

He customarily worked late into the night, sometimes receiving leaders and journalists well after midnight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bogin and his staff often worked late into the night, reviewing footage and discussing methodology.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he had worked late before and had always left through Hicks Restaurant.

The New Yorker

He worked late, spinning all the tubes in a centrifuge and adding chemicals.

The New Yorker

"I worked late, ate late and gained a bunch of weight," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked late" to clearly and concisely convey that someone extended their working hours beyond the typical workday.

Common error

Do not use "worked late" without providing context or a specific time reference. For instance, avoid saying "I worked late", but instead specify "I worked late into the night" or "I worked late finishing the presentation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked late" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of working beyond the usual or expected hours. Ludwig provides examples that demonstrate its use in describing past work activities and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worked late" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone has extended their working hours beyond the typical workday. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a straightforward expression, paying attention to context and providing specific time references can enhance clarity. Alternatives like "worked overtime" or "stayed late at work" can add subtle nuances depending on the intended meaning. Remember to use "worked late" for past actions and "work late" for general habits or future actions. Overall, it’s a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the concept of extended work hours.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked overtime

Implies exceeding standard working hours, often for additional pay.

stayed late at work

Focuses on the location and the act of remaining there after hours.

put in extra hours

Highlights the effort of contributing additional time to work.

worked extended hours

Emphasizes the increased duration of work.

toiled late

Adds a sense of hard work and perseverance into the late hours.

burned the midnight oil

An idiom suggesting working very late into the night, often studying or working intensely.

worked until late

A more descriptive, and explicit, way to express it.

worked beyond regular hours

Focuses on surpassing the established work schedule.

kept late hours at work

Emphasizes the consistency of working late.

labored into the night

Implies a strong physical or mental effort continued until night.

FAQs

How can I use "worked late" in a sentence?

You can use "worked late" to indicate that someone extended their work hours beyond the usual time. For example, "She "worked late" to meet the project deadline" or "He "worked late" every night this week".

What are some alternatives to "worked late"?

Some alternatives include "worked overtime", "stayed late at work", or "put in extra hours". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "work late" instead of "worked late"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "work late" when referring to a general habit or future action (e.g., "I often work late"). Use "worked late" when referring to a past action (e.g., "I "worked late" yesterday").

What does it mean when someone says they "burned the midnight oil" instead of "worked late"?

"Burned the midnight oil" is an idiom that means someone "worked late" into the night, usually studying or working on something important. It emphasizes dedication and effort.