Meaning & use
late-stage
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformal
happening in the final part of a process, illness, or development
Grammar: Used before a noun: late-stage disease, late-stage talks. Do not use it after a verb.
Patterns
- late-stage + noun
- late-stage negotiations
- late-stage cancer
The patient was diagnosed with late-stage cancer.
Late-stage negotiations between the two companies ended without a deal.
The project is in its late-stage testing phase.
nouncountable
the final period of a process or illness
Grammar: Usually written as two words: at a late stage, in the late stages.
Patterns
- at a late stage
- in the late stages of something
The disease was already at a late stage when it was found.
In the late stages of the project, the team worked long hours.
Common combinations
- late-stage cancer
- Late-stage cancer is harder to treat.
- late-stage negotiations
- The two sides are in late-stage negotiations.
- at a late stage
- The plan was changed at a late stage.
- in the late stages of something
- They are in the late stages of building the bridge.
Synonyms and how they differ
- advanced
- Often used for illness that has spread; 'late-stage' focuses on the time period.
- final
- Means last in a series; 'late-stage' means near the end of a process, not necessarily the very last.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: late-stage or late stage? late-stage or last stage?
late-stage vs late stage
Written as two words when it is a noun phrase: at a late stage. Use the hyphen only before a noun.
late-stage vs last stage
'Last stage' means the final stage; 'late stage' means near the end but not necessarily the final one.
Practice
The drug works best in ______ cancer, before the tumor has spread.
Choose one answer.
Before a noun, use the hyphenated adjective 'late-stage'. 'Late stage' as two words is a noun phrase and does not fit before 'cancer' here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “late-stage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.