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Family of the late

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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.

The company is privately owned by members of the family of the late founder, Gianni Versace.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Our thoughts and prayers to the family of the late Jonah Lomu.

North Star Fund extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Grace Paley.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

Independent

If certain sales figures are met, the family of the late performer could eventually earn as much as $250m £165mm).

News & Media

Independent

SINGER Julia, the family of the late Julia Singer gratefully acknowledge the many kind and generous expressions of sm.

News & Media

The New York Times

Mr. Fayed's remarks were denounced as malicious fantasy by both Buckingham Palace and by the family of the late Princess.

News & Media

The New York Times

The family of the late Ernie Blake, who started the ski area in 1955, still runs the resort.

The family of the late San Diego Chargers star Junior Seau is among those planning to opt out.

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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

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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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: