are constantly late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are constantly late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is habitually tardy or does not arrive on time. Example: "Despite multiple reminders, they are constantly late to meetings, which disrupts the schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Or who are constantly late?

The New York Times

"People are constantly late for their appointments, circling an hour to find parking," she said, and then added in her Irish lilt, "Oh, and the cussing.

The New York Times

The aliens, conducting the search alluded to by the show's title, are constantly late for their rendezvous with Trudy "at the corner of WALK/DON'T WALK". Through Trudy, they teach us about the pursuit of meaning, knowing, and feeling even as they themselves try to puzzle out the difference between a can of Campbell's Tomato ("soup") and an Andy Warhol painting of the same object ("art").

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A school in Milton Keynes in is planning to fine parents of pupils who are constantly late.

BBC

If they are constantly late, tell them to be there 1/2 hour before they are suppose to.

WikiHow

Get all your kids together perhaps at the dinner table or on the living room floor (TV off, or they won't listen) and explain you've noticed they are constantly late for appointments and commitments.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Perhaps because I'm the one who is constantly late.

The Washington Post

"At times, Bill was just really irrationally mean and unavailable; he was constantly late on set," Ramis says.

The New Yorker

A social butterfly, he was constantly late, and when he drove, he would take his eyes off the road for long stretches of time.

The New York Times

Anybody that works for you, if they're constantly late, or they don't show up or they don't want to work.

The New York Times - Sports

His collaborator and pal Harold Ramis told Tad Friend that during the filming of "Groundhog Day," "At times, Bill was just really irrationally mean and unavailable; he was constantly late on set".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are constantly late", consider the context and whether a more specific term like "tardy", "behind schedule", or "unpunctual" might be more appropriate to convey the nuance of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "are constantly late" as an absolute statement. Add qualifiers such as "often" or "usually" if the lateness is not truly constant. For example, instead of "They are constantly late", use "They are often late to meetings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are constantly late" functions as a descriptive phrase. It describes a habitual behavior of being tardy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are constantly late" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe a habitual lack of punctuality. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various sources including news media, wikis, and academic texts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and whether a more specific or nuanced term might better convey the intended meaning. Alternatives like "are habitually late" or "never arrive on time" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are perpetually tardy

Uses "perpetually" instead of "constantly" and "tardy" instead of "late" indicating habitual lateness.

are habitually late

Replaces "constantly" with "habitually" indicating a regular habit of being late.

are always behind schedule

Shifts the focus to being behind schedule rather than just being late, implying a broader issue with time management.

never arrive on time

Emphasizes the consistent failure to be punctual.

can't seem to be on time

Highlights the difficulty the subject has with punctuality.

are frequently behind

Similar to "always behind schedule" emphasizing lateness as a consistent state.

are known for their lateness

Focuses on the reputation associated with being late.

consistently miss deadlines

Shifts the focus to missing deadlines, implying lateness has consequences.

struggle with punctuality

Highlights the difficulty the subjects experience with being on time.

are poor at timekeeping

Emphasizes the lack of skill in managing time effectively.

FAQs

What does "are constantly late" mean?

The phrase "are constantly late" means that someone is habitually or very frequently not on time for appointments, meetings, or other scheduled events.

What can I say instead of "are constantly late"?

You can use alternatives like "are perpetually tardy", "are habitually late", or "never arrive on time" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are constantly late" in professional writing?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "are constantly late" in professional writing, but consider the tone and audience. In some cases, a more formal or nuanced phrase might be preferable.

How can I address the issue of someone who "is constantly late"?

Address the issue directly and privately. Explain how their lateness affects others and suggest strategies for improving punctuality. Using constructive feedback is crucial.