are often late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are often late" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a person's tendency to arrive later than expected. For example: "My friends are often late, so I'm used to waiting for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

British dancers are often late developers.

The Guardian

Children are often late for classes and tired.

Yale University

They are often late, over budget, or both.

The Economist

Still, many people are often late to appointments.

The New Yorker

Although slow-growing, NETs are often late diagnosed, already showing invasion of adjacent tissues and metastases.

Drug Discovery Today

They don't have express-line tracks, and the trains are often late".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He is often late.

The New York Times

"I'm often late".

The New York Times

Even so, N-Dia, was often late.

The New York Times

Even that meager pay is often late.

The New York Times

New Yorkers in Manhattan were often late for work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are often late" to describe recurring behavior rather than a one-time incident.

Common error

Avoid using "are often late" when "are sometimes late" is more appropriate. "Often" implies a higher frequency than just occasional lateness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are often late" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a characteristic or state of being of the subject. Ludwig examples show its utility in describing recurring lateness. It modifies a noun or pronoun by indicating a tendency to be delayed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are often late" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a recurring pattern of tardiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, consider your audience and choose synonyms like "frequently tardy" for more formal settings. While the phrase is generally acceptable, be mindful of the scope of "often" to ensure accuracy. The most authoritative sources that utilize this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are usually late

Similar to "often late" but with a slightly different nuance of frequency.

are frequently tardy

Replaces "often late" with a more formal synonym.

are habitually late

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of being late.

have a tendency to be late

Highlights the proneness of someone to be late.

are consistently late

Highlights the reliability of someone's lateness.

are known for their lateness

Indicates widespread awareness of someone's tardiness.

are perpetually late

Implies that lateness is a continuous, ongoing state.

invariably arrive late

Highlights the certainty of lateness.

are always behind schedule

Shifts the focus to the impact of being late on scheduling.

are running behind schedule

Describes the act of not keeping up with schedule

FAQs

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

You can use more formal alternatives like "are frequently tardy", "are habitually late", or "are consistently late" depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "are often late" in a professional setting?

Yes, "are often late" is generally acceptable. However, depending on the specific context and audience, using a more formal alternative might be preferable. Examples of more formal alternatives include, "are frequently tardy" or "are consistently late".

What does "are often late" imply about a person's behavior?

The phrase "are often late" suggests that a person has a recurring pattern of arriving later than expected. It indicates that lateness is not an isolated incident but a frequent occurrence.

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

The phrase "are always late" implies that someone is never on time, while "are often late" suggests that lateness is frequent but not necessarily every single time. "Are always late" signifies a higher degree of certainty and consistency in being late compared to "are often late".