are always late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are always late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a habitual action or behavior of someone or a group that consistently arrives after the expected time. Example: "My friends are always late to our meetings, which makes it difficult to start on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Arabs are always late!

The New Yorker

"People are always late," another player clarified.

The New Yorker

And the grades are always late".

The New York Times

"Regulators are always late to the game, so adding that mechanism is quite important," he said.

The New York Times

It starts with two guys, from two generations, making small talk about how women are always late.

The New Yorker

We, the beholders, are always late to the scene, which makes looking at a photograph a species of time travel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

[Anelka] was always late for training at Manchester City but our players know that lateness is simply not an option.

The Guardian - Sport

He was always late.

Independent

We were always late.

Independent

The trains were always late.

The New York Times

The time is always late.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's consistent lateness, consider the context and adjust your tone accordingly. In formal settings, use phrases like "habitually arrive late", while in casual settings, "are always late" is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "always" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "frequently", "often", or "usually" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are always late" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a habitual behavior or characteristic. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it's used to describe people, trains, or even abstract concepts being behind schedule.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are always late" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a consistent pattern of tardiness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from casual conversations to news reporting. While more formal alternatives exist, its widespread understanding makes it a reliable choice. Usage is most frequent in News & Media, followed by Wiki, according to Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

habitually arrive late

Replaces "are always late" with a more formal and direct expression using "habitually" to indicate a regular pattern of lateness.

never on time

A more concise way of expressing the idea of consistently being late, using a negative construction.

are perpetually tardy

Replaces "always" with "perpetually" and "late" with "tardy", emphasizing the continuous nature of being late with a more formal tone.

are frequently behind time

Uses "frequently" instead of "always" to soften the absolute nature of the statement, suggesting lateness is common but not necessarily every time.

are prone to lateness

Indicates a tendency or inclination towards being late, suggesting it's a common occurrence.

consistently run behind schedule

Shifts the focus to being behind schedule, suggesting lateness is a consistent part of their routine.

invariably delay their arrival

A formal alternative emphasizing the act of delaying arrival as a consistent behavior.

are known for their lateness

Focuses on reputation, indicating that being late is a recognized characteristic of the person or group.

are characteristically unpunctual

Uses "characteristically" to imply that being unpunctual is a typical trait or habit.

can't be counted on to be punctual

Highlights the unreliability regarding punctuality, rather than directly stating they are late.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are always late" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "habitually arrive late", "consistently run behind schedule", or "invariably delay their arrival".

What are some alternatives to "are always late" in casual conversation?

In informal settings, you can use phrases such as "never on time", "frequently behind time", or simply, "tend to be late".

Is there a difference between "are always late" and "are often late"?

"Are always late" suggests a consistent pattern of lateness without exception, while "are often late" implies lateness occurs frequently but not every time. The key difference lies in the degree of consistency.

How to avoid sounding accusatory when saying someone is always late?

Instead of directly stating "You are always late", try softening the tone by saying "It seems like you tend to be late" or "It's not uncommon for you to be running behind." You can also focus on the impact of the lateness rather than the lateness itself.