Question

The adjective ‘late’ can also be used as an adverb. Which of the following sentence contains the adverb?

a)He slept late and missed his first lecture.
b)He bore the consequences of his late arrival.
c)He visited the grave of his late wife.
d)They’re always updated with the latest trends.

Answer 1

Hint: An adverb is used to describe or modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb itself. We use ‘late’ to refer to something that occurs after the expected time.

Complete step-by-step answer:

By mentioning someone or something is ‘late’, we indicate that it has occurred after the said time or date. An adjective is used to describe an attribute given to a noun or a pronoun while an adverb modifies an adjective, verb or another adverb.
In the sentence, given as option a, ‘late’ is used as an adverb. Here, of ‘late’ explains that he has slept after the planned or usual time.
Late as an adverb defines an activity that occurs after or near the end of a period. Hence, option a is the correct answer.
In option b, ‘late’ modifies or exemplifies his arrival to the class and therefore, an adjective.
Similarly, option c justifies that his wife is no more and hence, an adjective.
Option d is wrong as ‘latest’ is not an adverb but an adjective that defines the earliest or the most recent of something.

Note: ‘Lately’ is also an adverb. We use it to refer to something that occurred in the very recent past.