are late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has not arrived or occurred at the expected or scheduled time. Example: "The train is supposed to arrive at 5 PM, but it seems that they are late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others are late bloomers.

The New York Times - Sports

They are late.

The New York Times

Checks that are late".

The New Yorker

"Some players are late bloomers.

The New York Times - Sports

Now you are late.

The New York Times

Planes are late.

The Guardian - Travel

Students are late for college registration.

The New York Times

"Our children are late for school.

The New York Times

Some kids are late bloomers.

The New York Times

Other franchises are late bloomers.

The New York Times - Sports

Some people are late bloomers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are late" to describe repeated occurrences, consider adding a frequency adverb (e.g., "are often late", "are rarely late") for clarity.

Common error

Ensure the subject agrees in number with the verb. Avoid using "is late" when referring to a plural subject; always use "are late".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are late" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject being behind schedule or not on time. Ludwig confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are late" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something is not on time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "are delayed" or "are behind schedule" exist, "are late" remains a versatile and frequently employed option. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider adding frequency adverbs for clarity. Steer clear of replacing "are" when referring to plural subjects with "is", this will result in bad grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are delayed

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being held up or postponed.

are behind schedule

Emphasizes the failure to meet a planned timeline.

are running late

Highlights the ongoing nature of being delayed.

are overdue

Stresses that something has passed its deadline.

are not punctual

Indicates a general tendency to be unpunctual.

are tardy

Offers a more formal synonym for being late.

have missed the deadline

Highlights that a specific deadline was not met.

are behind time

Indicates a state of being slow or delayed.

are unpunctual

Synonymous with "are not punctual".

have fallen behind

Emphasizes that something has gradually become delayed.

FAQs

How can I use "are late" in a sentence?

You can use "are late" to describe someone or something that has not arrived or occurred at the expected time. For example, "The trains "are late" this morning because of the snow."

What can I say instead of "are late"?

You can use alternatives like "are delayed", "are behind schedule", or "are running late" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is late" or "are late"?

"Are late" is correct when referring to a plural subject. "Is late" should be used with singular subjects. For example, "They "are late"", but "He is late".

What's the difference between "are late" and "are overdue"?

"Are late" generally means not on time, whereas "are overdue" implies that something has passed its specific deadline or due date. For instance, "The bills are overdue" but "They "are late" for the meeting".