I'll be late

USAGE SUMMARY

"I'll be late" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to communicate that you will not be arriving at a certain time or that you will not be able to complete a task within a given time frame. For example, "I'll be late for our meeting tomorrow due to unexpected traffic on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As the Tube trundles sedately through west London, I realise I'll be late for my appointment with a member of the airport staff who is to take me "airside".

Independent

I can let my wife know I'll be late without leaving the meeting room to make a call (and making myself that much later), or answer a colleague's quick question immediately.

The New York Times

I'm one of the majority of train commuters (on New Jersey Transit) who has a cellphone, so I can phone home or the office to say I'll be late.

The New York Times

If I slip into the boys' room at a dinner party to text my wife that I'll be late or to check whether my daughter has returned from the movies, Dr. Ling said, I deserve credit for not disrupting my hosts' dinner party, while also reinforcing my own family ties.

The New York Times

Does it make sense to call a number and suddenly update 30 social networks at once with "I'm on the train, looks like I'll be late for that meeting" or similar?

TechCrunch

I'll be late".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is just after 5.30pm and I know I will be late to collect my children again, but I go.

The Guardian

I will be late only for a few years, if that, while she is young".

Huffington Post

I will be late a lot, my phone will be dead a lot, and I really, really hate lists.

Huffington Post

In fact, I have such a reputation for tardiness that people have said I will be late to my own funeral, which is fine with me because I am in no big hurry to get there.

Huffington Post

But if he's out of town (as he is right now) I have to be out the door at 5 50 or I will be late getting my son.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I'll be late", provide an estimated time of arrival or the reason for the delay to manage expectations and show consideration.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "I'll be late" without providing context or a reason. Offering a brief explanation helps the recipient understand the situation and reduces potential frustration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'll be late" functions as a statement expressing the speaker's expectation of arriving after the scheduled time. It is a common expression used to inform someone of an impending delay, as demonstrated by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'll be late" is a common expression used to communicate an expected delay in arrival. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in informal communication. While its usage is generally neutral, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "I anticipate being delayed". When using "I'll be late", it's best practice to provide additional context or an estimated time of arrival. The provided examples demonstrate its use in real-world scenarios, reinforcing its acceptability and utility in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm going to be delayed

Similar meaning, slightly more formal.

I won't be on time

Simple and direct statement of being late.

I'm running behind schedule

Focuses on the current state of being behind.

I'll arrive later than expected

Highlights the difference between expected and actual arrival.

I'm afraid I will be late

Adds a note of apology or regret.

I anticipate being delayed

More formal and emphasizes anticipation of the delay.

I'm not going to make it on time

Emphasizes the inability to arrive punctually.

I expect to be tardy

Formal and directly states tardiness.

Please expect me to be late

More direct and a request to anticipate the delay.

I'm held up

Informal way to explain being delayed.

FAQs

How to use "I'll be late" in a sentence?

"I'll be late" is typically followed by a reason or an expected arrival time. For example, "I'll be late because of traffic" or "I'll be late, but I'll be there by 8 PM".

What can I say instead of "I'll be late"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm running behind schedule", "I'm going to be delayed", or "I won't be on time" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "I'll be late" in a formal email?

While acceptable, it's better to use a slightly more formal alternative in professional contexts. Consider using phrases like "I anticipate being delayed" or "I expect to be tardy".

What's the difference between "I'll be late" and "I'm running late"?

"I'll be late" indicates a future state of being late, whereas "I'm running late" describes the current situation of being behind schedule.