answer tardily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answer tardily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a response that is given later than expected or after a delay. Example: "I apologize for my delay; I tend to answer tardily when I'm overwhelmed with work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meantime, industry organizations like the Advertising Council and the American Association of Advertising Agencies are beginning to coordinate a response -- perhaps tardily, according to some executives who had sought action before now.

The New York Times

In detail, the RBP solution (3 mL, 10 mg mL−1) was applied tardily to a column (2.6 × 40 cm) of DEAE-52 cellulose.

Chemistry Central Journal

A solution of 0.66 g NaOH in 5 ml of water was tardily added till pH 12 via syringe with vigorous stirring.

Applied Water Science

This finest hour arrived hastily and tardily.

The New York Times

Regulators abandon whistle-blowers, acting tardily and ineffectually.

The New York Times

The Renaissance entered Britain tardily, and on tip-toe.

The Guardian - Arts

Fruit: generally dehiscent, occasionally tardily so, flat or +- cylindric.

University of California, Berkeley

The beeches are tardily deciduous trees, although some have rather thick, leathery leaves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems that each day brings a new revelation of a company tardily disclosing something important.

The New York Times

(He fanned Internet rumors that FEMA was establishing concentration camps before tardily beating a retreat).

The New York Times

The police respond tardily, before conducting a less than thorough investigation.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "answer tardily" when you want to emphasize that a response was not only late, but perhaps also slower or more reluctant than expected. For example, "The company answered tardily to the allegations, suggesting a lack of transparency."

Common error

While "answer tardily" is technically correct, overusing it can make your writing sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "respond slowly" or "answer after a delay" unless you specifically want to emphasize the reluctant nature of the response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answer tardily" functions as a verb phrase where "answer" is the verb and "tardily" is an adverb modifying the verb. It indicates how the action of answering is performed. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "answer tardily" is a grammatically correct but relatively infrequent way to describe a delayed response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, simpler alternatives like "respond slowly" or "answer after a delay" may be preferable in less formal settings. The sources indicate its usage in news, science, and academic writing, emphasizing its informative rather than casual tone. The key takeaway is to use "answer tardily" when you want to highlight not just the lateness, but the reluctance or inefficiency behind the delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respond slowly

Replaces "answer" with "respond" and "tardily" with "slowly", focusing on the manner of response.

reply belatedly

Substitutes "answer" with "reply" and "tardily" with "belatedly", emphasizing lateness.

answer after a delay

Rephrases the adverb "tardily" as a prepositional phrase indicating a time gap.

respond with hesitation

Focuses on the hesitance in responding, rather than just the lateness.

reply with undue delay

Emphasizes that the delay in responding was excessive or unwarranted.

give a late answer

Changes the adverb to an adjective modifying "answer", highlighting the answer's arrival.

offer a delayed response

Uses "offer" instead of "answer" and "delayed" instead of "tardily", presenting a more formal tone.

provide a slow answer

Similar to "give a late answer", but uses "provide" to suggest a more formal context.

answer with some delay

Similar to “answer after a delay” but with a different word order.

reply after a long time

Expresses the idea of delay using a simple time-based measure.

FAQs

How can I use "answer tardily" in a sentence?

You can use "answer tardily" to describe a delayed response, such as, "The government "answered tardily" to the crisis, leading to public dissatisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "answer tardily"?

Alternatives to "answer tardily" include phrases like "respond slowly", "reply belatedly", or "answer after a delay", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "answer tardily" or "respond late"?

"Respond late" is more straightforward and commonly used. "Answer tardily" is grammatically correct but less frequent and can sound more formal or even archaic.

What is the difference between "answer tardily" and "hesitate to answer"?

"Answer tardily" focuses on the delay in the response itself, while "hesitate to answer" implies reluctance or unwillingness to provide a response at all. The former concerns timing, the latter concerns intent.