VOA一分鐘英語：Late 六個用法

英語單詞 “late” 是一個在日常交流中出現(xiàn)頻率較高的詞語，它既可以作形容詞，也可以作副詞使用。怎樣用 “late” 表示 “遲到”？怎樣用它描述火車 “晚點了”？由 “late” 組成的常見搭配有哪些？它們分別應該怎么用？
 
Hi, everyone! Late is a very useful word. Find out why on this English In A Minute.
The most common meaning of late is 'after the correct time'. It can go before a noun as an adjective.
I had a late breakfast, so I took the late train.
Or it can modify a verb as an adverb.
I arrived late to class because the train came late.
And don't forget, you can be late for something.
I'm going to be late for my own wedding!
Late can also mean 'near the end of a period of time'.
We didn't go to bed until late at night.
We often talk about periods in history this way.
The internet was invented in the late 20th century.
You can also combine late with 'of' to mean 'recently'.
I've been using the internet a lot of late.
Finally, late can be used to refer to a person who has died, usually recently. 
Look at the time! I've got to go! I'm late! Not dead!
 
用法總結(jié)
1 “Late” 最常見的用法是作形容詞使用，意思是 “晚的，遲的”，可用于名詞前。
I had a late breakfast, so I took the late train.
 
2 “Late” 可作副詞使用，意思是 “晚了，遲了，遲到地”，用來修飾動詞。
I arrived late to class because the train came late.
 
3 搭配 “be late for” 用來表達 “做某事晚了，遲到了”。
I'm going to be late for my own wedding!
He is late for the meeting.
 
4 “Late” 作形容詞時還可以表達 “一段時間內(nèi)接近末尾的”，比如 “時間晚的” 或 “歷史時期末期的”。
We didn't go to bed until late at night.
The internet was invented in the late 20th century.
 
5 搭配 “of late” 可用來表達 “最近，近來”，相當于 “recently”。
I've been using the internet a lot of late.
 
6 “Late” 作形容詞時還可以表示某人 “（尤其是最近）已故的，去世了的”。
People sent flowers to pay tribute to the late scientist.