Be tardy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be tardy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to instruct someone to arrive late or to indicate that someone should not be on time. Example: "Please do not be tardy for the meeting, as we will start promptly at 9 AM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Be tardy as often as possible.

WikiHow

True, central banks have been raising interest rates, but they have tended to be tardy.

The Economist

The soldier had previously received several warnings not to be tardy to his platoon's patrols.

The New York Times

Coming next month are a new pair of "Housewives of Atlanta" spinoffs, "Don't Be Tardy" and "The Kandi Factory".

The New York Times - Arts

He was seen to be tardy in dealing with a former mayor of London's crass Nazi comments.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the university, former students were pulling corpses from the wreckage but were angry with authorities, who they perceived to be tardy in responding to the devastation.

The Guardian

It was a game that was expected to cause more than a few fans in Japan who stayed home to watch the live broadcast Wednesday morning to be tardy for work or school.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Wherefore, beloved, be not tardy-may all in common not be tardy- to give ear to my request, and to that of thy fellow bishops, that thou do come to Worms at Pentecost; and that thou there, with the other princes, do listen to many things a few of which are mentioned in this letter; and that thou do show what is to be done.

Yale University

The average tardiness of those who were tardy fell from 16.75 min (5.59) to 2.0 min.

BMJ Open

He did, but was tardy in arriving.

The New Yorker

The maharajah was tardy in choosing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the imperative form "Be tardy", ensure the context clearly indicates that lateness is intentional or expected, as it typically carries a negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "Be tardy" in formal settings where punctuality is highly valued. Instead, opt for phrases like "anticipate a delay" or "may be slightly late" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Be tardy" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to arrive late or to not be on time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct, and examples from Ludwig illustrate various contexts, from intentionally being late to class to expectations of delays.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Be tardy" functions as an imperative, meaning it directly instructs someone to arrive late or not be on time. While grammatically correct, its usage is often informal or neutral, appearing frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid, but it's crucial to consider the setting; opt for alternatives like "arrive late" in formal situations. While not incorrect, choosing a more precise term can often enhance clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Arrive late

Direct synonym focusing on the action of arriving after the scheduled time.

Be late

Simple and direct synonym for being tardy.

Do not be on time

Expresses the same idea in a negative form, advising against punctuality.

Don't be punctual

Advises against being on time, similar to 'Do not be on time'.

Be unpunctual

Formal way of saying 'Do not be punctual'.

Be delayed

Focuses on the state of being held up or postponed.

Miss the deadline

Focuses on failing to meet a specific time constraint.

Delay your arrival

Instructs to postpone or hold back the arrival.

Postpone arrival

Suggests delaying or rescheduling one's arrival.

Procrastinate arrival

Implies intentionally delaying one's arrival through procrastination.

FAQs

How to use "Be tardy" in a sentence?

You can use "Be tardy" to instruct someone to arrive late, often in a context where being on time is not required or expected. For example, "If she says to turn in your papers, keep it under your chair. "Be tardy" as often as possible."

What can I say instead of "Be tardy"?

You can use alternatives like "Arrive late", "Be late", or "Do not be on time" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "Be tardy"?

The phrase "Be tardy" is appropriate in informal contexts or when intentionally instructing someone to not be on time. It's less suitable for formal or professional settings.

What does "Be tardy" mean?

"Be tardy" means to arrive late or to not be on time for a scheduled event or appointment. It suggests a deliberate or expected lack of punctuality.