working late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working late" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone who is working for an extended period of time, often past their normal hours. Example: "I will be working late tonight to finish this project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Workplace scenarios

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was working late.

The New York Times

So you're working late Monday?

The New Yorker

I shall be working late.

Independent

Crosswords, posh people, working late.

The Guardian

Are you paid more for working late?

The Guardian - Money

Only Michael Cockerell is working late.

The Guardian

I suspect we'll be working late.

The Guardian - Film

Working late tonight eh Hans he says.

The Guardian - Music

Sir Jeremy Heywood is working late again.

The Guardian

People are walking around and working late".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Officially, Network Rail is still aiming for the wires to be working late next year.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working late", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the extended hours, such as project deadlines or increased workload.

Common error

Avoid automatically assuming that "working late" signifies higher productivity. Sometimes, it indicates poor time management or inefficient workflow during regular hours.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working late" typically functions as a verb phrase combined with an adverb, describing the action of performing work beyond the usual or expected hours. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes someone extending their work time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science & Research

3%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Working late" is a common phrase used to describe the act of working beyond regular hours. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Our analysis reveals that this phrase is most frequently found in news and media, lifestyle content, and formal business contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral, the reasons for "working late" can range from dedication to deadlines to inefficient time management. Related phrases, like "putting in extra hours" and "staying overtime", offer similar meanings, while others, such as "burning the midnight oil", add a layer of intensity or effort. When using the phrase, ensure the context is clear and consider whether it genuinely reflects productivity or simply extended hours.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working extended hours

This simply states that the hours worked are longer than usual.

putting in extra hours

This emphasizes the additional time spent on work beyond the regular schedule.

staying overtime

This focuses on the act of remaining at work beyond the standard hours.

burning the midnight oil

This idiom suggests working very late into the night, often studying or working intensely.

toiling late

This highlights the effort and labor involved in working until late hours.

laboring until late

This phrase combines the concept of work with the lateness of the hour.

keeping late hours at work

Focuses on maintaining a schedule that involves being at work late into the night.

pulling an all-nighter

This idiom means working through the entire night, usually to complete a project or meet a deadline.

being on the late shift

Refers to a specific work schedule that typically starts in the afternoon or evening and continues into the early morning.

clocking in late

This is used in context of when someone clocks in later than the usual starting time for a job.

FAQs

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

You can use "working late" to describe someone spending extra time at their job, such as: "I'm "working late" to finish this report" or "She's been "working late" all week to meet the project deadline".

What are some alternatives to saying "working late"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "putting in extra hours", "staying overtime", or "burning the midnight oil".

Is it better to say "working late" or "worked late"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "working late" to describe an ongoing or habitual action (e.g., "I am "working late" tonight"). Use "worked late" to describe a completed action in the past (e.g., "I "worked late" last night").

Does "working late" always imply a negative situation?

Not necessarily. While often associated with stress or heavy workloads, "working late" can also result from dedication to a project, passion for the work, or a flexible work schedule. The context usually provides the necessary nuance.