Late and lately: time and recent periods

The idea

Use late as an adverb in arrive late or as an adjective in a late dinner. Use lately for a recent period: busy lately.

Examples

• The bus arrived late.
• I work late on Fridays.
• She was late for the meeting.
• We ate a late dinner.
• He has been busy lately.
• Please call if you are going to be late.

Watch out

Do not replace late with lately to mean behind schedule: arrived late describes a delayed arrival.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the word for arrival after the scheduled time. The bus arrived after its scheduled time; it arrived ___. (late / lately)

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   late

   Late describes arrival after the expected time.

2. Choose the word meaning recently. He has been busy in recent weeks; he has been busy ___. (lately / late)

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   lately

   Lately refers to a recent period.

3. Choose the preposition in late for a meeting. She was late ___ the meeting. (for / under)

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   for

   For introduces the meeting she was late for.

Use it today

Describe a late arrival and something you have done lately.