... the target. / Say: She aimed at the target, Mote Use the preposition at to denote direction, throw at, shout at, fire at, shoot at. Shoot (without the at) means to kill He shot ... came 464 Lately for Late. Don't say: Last night I went to bed lately. / Say: Last night I went to bed late. The opposite of early is late, not lately. Lately means ... to run away We flee from danger Float, floated, floated means to stay on the surface of water or other liquid' Ships float on the water. (See Exercise 49 on page 159.)...