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Preposition after adjective

Late in or late for?

Late for means delayed for an event, activity, or deadline. Late in refers to a stage within a period of time, such as late in the year or late in the game.

Quick answer

Late in vs. late for

Use late for when someone or something does not arrive on time: late for work, late for class. Use late in to mean near the end of a period: late in the evening, late in the season.

She was late for class.
We arrived late for the meeting.
The changes happened late in the year.
He scored late in the game.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
late for + event/activity

Being delayed for something scheduled

Use late for with meetings, classes, work, flights, and similar events.

I was late for work again.
They arrived late for the concert.
2
late in + period of time

Near the end of a time period

Use late in with parts of a day, month, year, season, or process.

Snow fell late in April.
The decision came late in the process.
3
late with + payment/work

Failing to deliver something on time

Late with is used for unfinished work, payments, or submissions.

He is late with the report.
They were late with the rent.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
late for
She was late for the interview.
Delayed for a scheduled event or activity.
late in
The flowers bloom late in spring.
Near the end of a period of time.
late to
We were late to arrive.
Late can also be followed by an infinitive or movement verb in some structures.
late with
The supplier is late with the order.
Delayed in providing or completing something.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using late in for appointments

Late in refers to a time period, not a scheduled event.

✕ She was late in the meeting. ✓ She was late for the meeting.

Using late for with months or seasons

Use late in with periods of time.

✕ The storm arrived late for winter. ✓ The storm arrived late in winter.

Confusing late with and late for

Late with refers to unfinished work or payments.

✕ He is late for the report. ✓ He is late with the report.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We were ___ the train because of traffic.
2. The announcement came ___ the evening.
3. She is ___ her assignment again.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say late in the meeting?

Yes, if you mean near the end of the meeting. If you mean delayed in arriving, say late for the meeting.

Is late for always about people?

No. Things can also be late for schedules, such as a train late for departure.

What is the difference between late for and late with?

Late for refers to arriving after the expected time. Late with refers to not completing or delivering something on time.

labour-in-for-with-on, to "large in" or "large of"? lawful for, to, in, unto or under? "lax in", "lax on" or "lax about"? lazy in, about, with, to or for? "leading to" or "leading of"? leery of, about or over? left in, for, over, with or to? leftover from, of, for, in or after? "legal in" or "legal for"? "legitimate for" or "legitimate in"? lesser of, in, for, on or to?

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