2 hours late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "2 hours late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something has not arrived at the expected time and is delayed by two hours. Example: "The train was scheduled to arrive at 3 PM, but it ended up being 2 hours late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I'm thinking 2 hours late Sunday afternoon.

The New Yorker

@chantellem0rley you're lucky enough to have tickets to a Justin Bieber concert,and because he's 2 hours late on stage you boo him?,obviously not a real fan @Niccigray Justin bieber should be ashamed my daughter finally arrived home at nearly 1.30am cause of your laziness... Fame has gone to your head boy !

Independent

She was 2 hours late and talked for dramatically less than of that.

TechCrunch

One particular day, Dr. N. was 2 hours late to a late-evening (10 p.m). meeting with L. that he had set up to show her how to run a new piece of equipment.

Science Magazine

Or at least not 2 hours late?

Huffington Post

The lid was closed again after half an hour to avoid drying of the embryos and the dish was kept for 16 18 (early cohort) or 20 hours (late cohort) in the 14.5°C-incubator, before it was shifted to 25°C for 5.5 (early cohort) or 2 hours (late cohort) to enhance fluorophore expression.

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

About 18 hours late.

The New York Times

The excavation contractor, though, was about 18 hours late.

The New York Times

One easyJet plane from Rome turned up 11 hours late.

Independent

But it was 16 hours late, and visible over the Atlantic.

The Economist

The family finally landed -- with luggage, this time -- after midnight Tuesday morning, more than 10 hours late.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "2 hours late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is delayed. For example, "The train was 2 hours late" is clearer than "It was 2 hours late" if the subject isn't obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "2 hours late" when you mean to indicate a time of day. Instead of saying "Let's meet 2 hours late", specify a time, such as "Let's meet at 5 PM instead of 3 PM".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "2 hours late" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the extent of the delay, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig. It can also act as an adjective phrase when describing a delayed event or arrival.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "2 hours late" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a delay of two hours. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct. While not extremely frequent, it's commonly understood and used across various contexts, from news and science to more informal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the subject of the delay is evident. Though seemingly straightforward, avoiding ambiguity by specifying exact times can enhance understanding. Overall, "2 hours late" is a reliable way to communicate a specific duration of tardiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two hours behind schedule

This alternative uses formal language, explicitly stating that the delay affects the schedule.

delayed by two hours

This alternative uses passive voice, focusing on the delay itself rather than the agent.

a two-hour delay

This alternative uses a noun phrase to describe the delay.

running two hours behind

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the delay.

tardy by two hours

This alternative uses the less common word "tardy" to indicate lateness.

two hours past the deadline

This alternative specifies that the delay concerns a deadline.

two hours overdue

This alternative implies that something was due at a specific time and is now late.

two hours adrift

This alternative uses a metaphorical term to suggest the subject is lagging behind.

two hours postponed

This alternative suggests the event has been pushed back.

belated by two hours

This alternative focuses on something being "belated", or happening later than it should.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "2 hours late"?

You can use alternatives like "two hours behind schedule", "delayed by two hours", or "a two-hour delay" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "2 hours late"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It clearly conveys that something or someone is delayed by two hours.

How can I use "2 hours late" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe delays: "The meeting started "2 hours late"." It can also modify nouns: "There was a "2 hours late" arrival."

What's the difference between "2 hours late" and "2 hours early"?

"2 hours late" means something is delayed by two hours past the expected time. "2 hours early" means something is two hours ahead of the expected time. They are opposites in terms of timing.