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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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It is quite late

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it is quite late' is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you want to express that the current time is late. For example, you can say, "It is quite late, so I think I should get some sleep now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I usually eat a main meal after my strip show even if it is quite late.

They delay to return and when they eventually arrive, it is quite late in the morning (past mid-morning)." KII For working mothers, the delays acted as barriers to service utilization since they could not access services in the time available before they reported to work.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"No, it was quite late on.

News & Media

The Guardian

"It is quite unusual, particularly as it's quite late in the season.

News & Media

The Guardian

It's quite late on in life for me to discover I'm pork-blind.

Although it was quite late in the afternoon by now, it was becoming uncomfortably hot and airless as the front drew near.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But then this record — I download it, and it's quite late, and every song is gorgeous, slow and filled with yearning and melancholy.

It was quite late on, the summer after the tsunami, when I heard about a small community on the coast that had suffered an exceptional tragedy.

News & Media

The Guardian

Lauren Smith, a librarian and coordinator of the Save Doncaster Libraries campaign, welcomed the inquiry but said it was "quite late in the day".

It was quite late on Saturday evening before he was tempted into the briefest admission that his side should have presented a greater barrier to a fast and forceful comeback.

I got something good, and I'm not gonna mess it up.' It's quite late, going on 2am, and he's tired and ruminative all of a sudden.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "it is quite late" when you want to politely suggest that an activity should be concluded or that someone should consider resting. For instance, you might say, "It is quite late; perhaps we should wrap up the meeting."

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "it is quite late" in situations requiring strict precision, like scheduling or legal contexts. Instead, use specific times or deadlines to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is quite late" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an implied verb (e.g., "to be") to indicate the time. Ludwig AI indicates that it is considered grammatically correct and is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

⚠ Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is quite late" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to politely indicate that the current time is advanced. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It serves as a gentle reminder of the passing time and is suitable for a range of contexts, though it should be used with consideration for formality. Alternative phrases like "it's getting late" or "it is rather late" can be used to achieve a similar effect. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate communication.

FAQs

What does "it is quite late" mean?

The phrase "it is quite late" means that the current time is advanced beyond what is usual or expected, implying a need to conclude an activity or retire for the night.

How can I use "it is quite late" in a sentence?

You can use "it is quite late" in sentences like, "It is quite late, so I should probably head home" or "It is quite late; let's finish this up quickly".

What can I say instead of "it is quite late"?

You can use alternatives like "it's getting late", "it is rather late", or "it's already late" depending on the context.

Is "it is quite late" formal or informal?

"It is quite late" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal alternatives include "it's getting late", while more formal options might specify the exact time or use a more direct statement.

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: