are generally late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are generally late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common behavior or tendency of a group or individuals to arrive after the expected time. Example: "Students in this class are generally late, which disrupts the flow of the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But we have to realize that commodities are generally late cycle investments.

Forbes

The uptake of FDG by detached cells could not be determined as steps to wash away non-incorporated FDG would involve centrifugation, which would be a problem with detached cells as these are generally late dying/dead cells with fragile or damaged cell membranes.

British Journal of Cancer

It has been shown that chromatin structure in the origin's genomic locus can regulate its activation time, and that to some extent the firing of origins can be influenced by their location within chromatin: origins in subtelomeric regions are generally late firing, whereas origins in centromeric regions are typically early firing [ 16, 17].

EMBO Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

WTF?) Everyone is generally late for things and it's usually never questioned.

Huffington Post

This could be because mums were generally late adopters of texting, or because social media has made it easier for mums to keep up with an ex long after they're out of their child's life.

Vice

4 Diagnosis is generally late in the natural history of both respiratory complications, where survival five years after diagnosis is 50% in severe COPD and only 15% in lung cancer.

Application of Clinical Genetics

Although sAD and fAD have identical end-stage neuropathologies, sAD is generally late-onset and its underlying genetics are surprisingly different from those of fAD.

Genome Medicine

Candida infection is generally late-onset in ICU patients and is associated with a prolonged ICU and hospital stay, and a high mortality.

Critical Care

However, microbiological findings, if any, are generally obtained late during the course of the disease.

Critical Care

Antibiotics are generally considered late in the disease process after other standard treatments have failed.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Kidney biopsies are generally performed late in the evaluation of a nephrotic child who does not respond to steroids.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are generally late", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being described as typically late. Specify the subject for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "are generally late" based on limited observations. Ensure your statement reflects a consistent pattern, not just isolated incidents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are generally late" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a subject's typical behavior regarding punctuality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are generally late" is grammatically correct and useful for describing a common tendency toward unpunctuality. While suitable for various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, careful attention should be paid to avoid overgeneralization. Consider formality when choosing alternatives, as some options carry a more formal or informal tone. Ludwig's analysis reveals its balanced usage across science, media, and everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically arrive late

Replaces "generally" with "typically", emphasizing usual behavior.

tend to be tardy

Substitutes "late" with "tardy", adding a slightly more formal tone.

are habitually delayed

Emphasizes the habitual nature of the lateness using "habitually delayed".

are prone to lateness

Highlights a predisposition to being late using "prone to lateness".

usually run behind schedule

Focuses on the cause of lateness, being behind schedule, rather than just the result.

often show up late

Replaces "are" with "show up" and "generally" with "often", making it more colloquial.

are frequently unpunctual

Replaces "late" with "unpunctual", increasing formality.

commonly lag behind

Uses "lag behind" to indicate lateness in a broader sense, like lagging in progress.

are known for their tardiness

Identifies lateness as a well-known characteristic.

have a history of lateness

Focuses on past behavior to explain habitual lateness.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "are habitually delayed" or "are frequently unpunctual".

What's a less formal way to say "are generally late"?

Informal options include "often show up late" or "tend to be tardy".

Is it correct to use "are generally late" in academic writing?

Yes, "are generally late" is grammatically correct and acceptable in academic writing, but ensure it's supported by evidence. More formal alternatives can also be used.

What's the difference between "are generally late" and "are always late"?

"Are generally late" implies a common but not universal occurrence, while "are always late" suggests lateness in every instance. The former is less absolute and often more accurate.