English Teacher Melanie: English Expression Explained: Better Late Than Never!

In the listening lesson “What would we do without mothers?”, I used the expression better late than never:

It probably would have been better if Ms. Jarvis had honoured her mother while she was still alive, but better late than never!

Better late than never is a common English proverb*. It means:

it’s better to do something late [or to be late] than to not do something at all.

Of course, it’s always better to do things on time!

[*a proverb is a short expression or phrase in English that is a commonly known piece of advice or an experience.]

Example sentences:
It’s been 5 years since Madonna’s last album. Better late than never!

My library books are 5 days overdue! I have to return them today. I’ll have to pay the fine, but better late than never.

The city has finally put traffic lights at the intersection. It’s better late than never, but this should have been done years ago.

I’m sorry I’m late for the meeting. I got stuck in traffic on my way to work. Better late than never, right?

NOTE: this is a comparison between late and never, so use than, NOT then!