What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
late
Example
I'm sorry I'm late for our meeting. [late: adjective]
Example
She always comes late to class. [late: adverb]
Example
My grandfather passed away in his late 80s. [late: adjective]
recent
Example
I read a recent article about climate change. [recent: adjective]
Example
In recent years, technology has advanced rapidly. [recent: adjective]
Example
The company has made recent changes to their policies. [recent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recent is more commonly used than late in everyday language. Recent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while late is more specific and often used in formal or serious situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between late and recent?
Late is typically associated with a formal or serious tone, while recent is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
