The use of "until late"

Tom · Sun Feb 24, 2008 21:45 pm *The use of "until late"*

Hi

Do you find the use of until late correct and natural here??

Theeny · Mon Feb 25, 2008 18:13 pm *The use of "until late"*

I think it's more natural to say "My children like to sleep late on weekends". You can also say "My children like to have a lie-in on weekends", which means the same thing.

Alan · Mon Feb 25, 2008 19:07 pm *The use of "until late"*

Hi Tom,

There is also the expression 'sleep in', which has the same idea.

Alan
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Tom · Sun Mar 30, 2008 20:24 pm *The use of "until late"*

Sorry, but I could not make myself clear.

Yankee · Sun Mar 30, 2008 20:34 pm *The use of "until late"*

Tom · Sun Mar 30, 2008 20:55 pm *The use of "until late"*

Many thanks, Amy, for the prompt and detailed answer.

So do you find the red sentence odd in the following conversation held one morning in an office.

Yankee · Sun Mar 30, 2008 21:03 pm *The use of "until late"*

Yes, I do find it odd.

It would be more typical to say "I went to bed (very) late last night" or "I couldn't get to sleep until very late" or "It was ages before I was able to fall asleep last night".

There are any number of things you could say, but unfortunately "I slept late" is not one of them.
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

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