Is Late An Adverb: 7 Important Facts You Should Know

The word “late” can play the role of two types of parts of speech. Let us see the role of the word “late” as an adverb.

The word “late” mainly states the meaning “after a specific time” while modifying any verb, adjective, or any other adverb.

Let us see various important facts and explanations related to the use of the word “late” as an adverb.

Why is late an adverb?

There are some particular reasons for calling a word an “adverb”. Let us see the reasons for calling the word “late” an adverb.

The word “late” can be called an “adverb” because it fulfills all the requirements to be an adverb; for example, it can modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Roles of the word “late” as an adverb	Example	Explanation
1. The adverb “late” can modify a verb.	Mina is coming late to the tuition today.	The word “late” can certainly be marked as an “adverb” as it is in use to modify the activity or verb “coming.”
2. The adverb “late” can modify an adjective.	Mina is a late comer who always comes late to tuition.	The word “late” can certainly be marked as an “adverb” as it is in use to modify the adjective “comer,” which refers to the proper noun “Mina”.
3. The adverb “late” can modify another adverb.	Mina is best in late slow driving, so you can’t believe she can go anywhere.	Here, we can mark the word “late” as an adverb because the respective word is in use to modify another adverb, “slow,” which modifies the verb “driving.”

How is late an adverb?

An adverb usually provides answers to when, where, how, to what degree, etc. Let us see how the word “late” becomes an adverb.

The word “late” becomes an adverb in such a way where it modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb to state some specific meanings.

Meanings which are usually displayed by the adverb “late” are delayed, behind schedule, perished, behind schedule, belated, the eleventh hour, etc.

Example – All caught the bus at the right time, except me, as I woke up late and left behind to catch the bus at the right time.

Explanation – Here, we can mark the adverb “late” as an adverb to depict the meaning “behind schedule” because the respective word is in use to describe the activity “waking up” of the speaker.

When is late an adverb?

There are some specific situations when the word “late” performs as an adverb. Let us see the situations when the word “late” performs as an adverb.

Here is the list of situations and related examples when the word “late” functions as an adverb.

List of situations when the word “late” functions as an adverb.	Example	Explanation
1. After the specific time period	We have thirty minutes extra to go to the station as the train is running thirty minutes late.	The adverb “late” is in use to depict the meaning “after the specific time period” by modifying the activity “running”.
2. At the end of a specific time period	We wasted all our summer vacation by sitting idly at home and finally went on vacation late in the summer vacation.	The adverb “late” is in use to depict the meaning “At the end of a specific time period” by modifying the activity “went on”.
3. After another incident	I didn’t decide on my aim in life until my late twenties.	The adverb “late” is in use to depict the meaning “After another incident” by modifying the activity “decide.”
4. At the end of an activity	You must pick up your cycling speed late in the race.	The adverb “late” is in use to depict the meaning “After another incident” by modifying the activity “cycling.”
5. After an expected time	We must punish Pijush as the birthday party was at 7 p.m. and Pijush came late.	The adverb “late” is in use to depict the meaning ” After an expected time” by modifying the activity “come.”

What is the type of adverb late?

There are five types of groups of adverbs in the English language. Let us check the group of adverbs to which the adverb “late” belongs.

The adverb “late” comes under the group “Adverbs of Time” in the English language because it speaks about a specific time.

Example: Mina always becomes humiliated by her father because she gets up late on a daily basis.

Explanation: Here, we can mark the adverb “late” as an adverb to depict the meaning “after the specific time” because the respective word is in use to describe the activity “getting up” of the proper noun, Mina.

Examples of late as an adverb –

Now, we will go through various sentences that are framed with the word “late” as an adverb.

Example	Explanation
1. Sandip could not wake up early in the morning as he went to sleep late.	The word “late” can certainly be marked as an “adverb” as it is modifying the verb, “wake up,” to depict the meaning “after the specific time period.”
2. Do not worry about age, as we are never late for learning a new lesson.	The word “late” can certainly be marked as an “adverb” as it is the another verb, “learning,” to depict the meaning “at the end of a specific time period.”
3. We must not go home late after the party or we will not get any transport.	The word “late” can certainly be marked as an “adverb” as it is modifying the verb, “go,” to depict the meaning “at the end of an activity.”
4. Mina has been waiting at the station for the last hour, but the train is late.	The word “late” is in use to depict the meaning “after the specific time period” while modifying the activity “running” of the proper noun, Mina.
5. I am afraid to face my teacher as I have submitted the assignment late.	The word “late” can certainly be marked as an “adverb” as it is modifying the verb, “submit,” to depict the meaning “after the specific time period.”

Can late be an adjective?

The word “late” can play the role of two types of parts of speech. Let us check the use of the word “late” in a sentence but not as an adverb.

The word “late” can be part of several parts of speech. Though the meaning will be same but the word “late” can be used in two ways.

1. Adjective
2. Adverb

How “late” can be used as an adjective?

The word “late” can be used as an “adjective” in such where we can use the word “late” to describe or modify a noun, pronoun, or noun equivalent of a sentence, then it can be marked as an adjective.

Example: Sandip’s father can not walk properly because he is in his late eighties.

Explanation:

The word “late” can be categorized under the group of “adjectives” because it is used to describe the noun, Sandip’s father.

When “late” can be used as an adjective?

The word “late” can be used as an adjective to refer to meanings like “after the usual time,” “after a particular time,” etc. The same word can also be used to refer to any person who is already dead.

Example: Pijush tried his best to follow the ideology of his late grandfather.

Explanation:

The word “late” can certainly be marked as an adjective because it is used to describe the noun “late grandfather of Pijush.”

Conclusion –

We must not be confused between the words “late” and “lately.” The meanings of the words “late” and “lately” are completely opposite to each other. The word “late” plays the role of both an “adverb” and an “adjective,” but the word “lately” performs the role of only an “adverb.”

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