Cool MateI’m running late. vs Late
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I’m running late.
Top 2,000 (common)
Late
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Most common: Late
| I’m running late. | Late | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈrʌnɪŋ leɪt//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈrʌnɪŋ leɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/leɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/leɪt/"]/ |
| Meaning | I am not on time. | After the expected time |
| Example | I'm running late for the meeting, please start without me. | I am late for my appointment today. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | running late to work, running late for an appointment, running late on a deadline | be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, for, in, into, an hour, ten minutes, etc. late, leave it rather, very, etc. late |
| Antonyms | - | early, on time |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'running' as in exercising., Using 'run' instead of 'running' in this context., Not using the phrase when it's actually appropriate. | Confusing 'late' with 'lately', which means recently., Using 'late' with the wrong tense, for example, saying 'I will be late yesterday.', Confusing 'late' with 'later' when indicating time. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to inform someone you will arrive later than planned. It's polite and widely understood. | Use 'late' to describe someone who is not on time for an event or task. Avoid using it in very formal contexts, where 'tardy' might be preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: I’m running late. vs Late
What's the difference between I’m running late. and Late?
I’m running late.: I am not on time. Late: After the expected time
Which is more common: I’m running late. and Late?
Late is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I’m running late.: I'm running late for the meeting, please start without me. Late: I am late for my appointment today.
Can I use I’m running late. and Late interchangeably?
Not always. I’m running late. and Late are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.