Late-Lately | Commonly Confused Words

Late

/leɪt/

Occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time

It's not too late.What he pinned his faith to was his later work.Give me Father is latest risky investments.

/ˈleɪtli/

Recently or in the near past.

'Then you have not been to sea lately?' 'No.Some of his excuses for absence lately had been pretty weak.Has he lost his vim lately, or what is it?'

Late often refers to time, meaning after the expected or usual time, while lately refers to a recent time or period.
Think of late as an adjective that describes nouns, like a late train, whereas lately is an adverb modifying verbs, such as has been running late.
Lately often appears with the present perfect tense to indicate something that has happened in the recent past, e.g., I have been busy lately.
Remember, late doesn't change with tense and is often used with events or people that are delayed or behind schedule.
Use lately to express something that is part of a current trend or ongoing situation, such as I havent seen her lately.'