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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Family of the late
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "family of the late" is correct and usable in written English
It is typically used to refer to the family of someone who has already passed away. For example, "The family of the late John Smith would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The family of the late wife of commission chairman Rocco Siciliano also fled the Holocaust.
News & Media
The company is privately owned by members of the family of the late founder, Gianni Versace.
News & Media
"Our thoughts and prayers to the family of the late Jonah Lomu.
News & Media
North Star Fund extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Grace Paley.
News & Media
The Matsui Foundation was founded by friends and family of the late Congressman after his untimely death in 2005.
The fighter known as 'Money' continued: "My Condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier.
News & Media
If certain sales figures are met, the family of the late performer could eventually earn as much as $250m £165mm).
News & Media
SINGER Julia, the family of the late Julia Singer gratefully acknowledge the many kind and generous expressions of sm.
News & Media
Mr. Fayed's remarks were denounced as malicious fantasy by both Buckingham Palace and by the family of the late Princess.
News & Media
The family of the late Ernie Blake, who started the ski area in 1955, still runs the resort.
News & Media
The family of the late San Diego Chargers star Junior Seau is among those planning to opt out.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
When writing obituaries or memorial pieces, use "family of the late" to respectfully acknowledge the deceased's relatives.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "family of the late" when intending to describe someone who is running behind schedule. The word 'late' in this context specifically refers to someone who has died.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "family of the late" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying the relatives of a deceased person. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces statements about condolences, memorials, or actions taken by the family.
Expression frequency: Very common
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Academia
30%
Encyclopedias
5%
⚠ Less common in
Wiki
5%
Formal & Business
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "family of the late" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to refer to the relatives of someone who has died. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news articles, academic texts, and formal announcements. While it is generally appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, consider alternatives like "relatives of the deceased" for even more formal situations, or simply "[Name]'s family" in casual conversation. Remember that the term 'late' here refers to death, not tardiness.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
relatives of the deceased
Replaces "late" with "deceased", providing a more formal tone.
family members of the departed
Substitutes "late" with "departed", adding a slightly euphemistic quality.
family of the former
Uses "former" instead of "late", suitable when the person's previous role is relevant.
the bereaved family of
Highlights the family's state of grief following the loss.
surviving family of the deceased
Emphasizes that the family members are still living after the death.
family of the recently passed
Replaces "late" with a more descriptive phrase indicating recent death.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How do I properly use "family of the late" in a sentence?
Use "family of the late" to refer to the relatives of someone who has passed away, for example, "The "family of the late" Mr. Johnson requests privacy during this difficult time."
What's a more formal alternative to "family of the late"?
A more formal alternative is "relatives of the deceased". This wording is often preferred in official announcements or legal documents.
Is it appropriate to use "family of the late" in casual conversation?
While grammatically correct, "family of the late" is generally used in more formal or somber contexts. In casual conversation, you might say "the deceased's family" or simply "[Name]'s family".
Which is correct, "the family of the late [Name]" or "the late [Name]'s family"?
Both are grammatically correct, but "the "family of the late" [Name]" is more common in formal writing. The alternative "the late [Name]'s family" is also perfectly acceptable.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested