are perpetually late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are perpetually late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or a group of people who consistently arrive after the expected time. Example: "My friends are perpetually late to our meetups, which makes it hard to stick to our schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If you discover that consideration is a key value, but you are perpetually late for meetings, the ritual might be to end the meetings you run five minutes earlier than usual and intentionally show up five minutes early for the meeting that follows.

Harvard Business Review

If you are perpetually late with rent payments and you have to move to a new neighborhood or city, a bad reference could cost you a place to live.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shawn is perpetually late.

The New Yorker

Later, Bridget finds a lover almost half her age, gets confused by the multiple remotes for the TV, and is perpetually late getting the kids to school.

The New Yorker

You probably know someone who is perpetually late for meetings and assignments, who can't seem to grasp the most basic schedule and stick to it.

The Guardian

Duterte is perpetually late, which meant that supporters might be kept waiting in the sweltering heat for as long as seven hours.

The New Yorker

Take this example: A regional supply chain head at a medical supply company was asked by the chief procurement officer to play hardball with a local government that was perpetually late paying for purchases.

Harvard Business Review

As with obeying the traffic laws, this can be about imposing authenticity into role-play – we don't tend to run everywhere we go in real life unless we're perpetually late or training for a half marathon.

The Guardian - Tech

Sally Katzen, one of his students, wrote about being perpetually late for his 8 A.M. classes until the day Dad greeted her with a tray of eggs, bacon, toast, juice, and coffee.

The New Yorker

Sally Katzen, one of his students, wrote about being perpetually late for his 8 A.M. classes — until the day Dad greeted her with a tray of eggs, bacon, toast, juice, and coffee.

The New Yorker

He was careless with his medication; he was perpetually late to treatment; in the hours before chemotherapy, he could be found ice-skating with a date who didn't know he was sick.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are perpetually late", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the consistent and ongoing nature of the lateness. It's suitable for describing habits or patterns of behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "are perpetually late" for isolated incidents of tardiness. Reserve it for situations where lateness is a recurring and predictable pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are perpetually late" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the subject's habitual state of tardiness. As confirmed by Ludwig, the structure follows standard grammar rules. Examples show its use to describe people who consistently arrive after the scheduled time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are perpetually late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a consistent and ongoing pattern of tardiness. Ludwig confirms the phrase follows standard grammar rules and can be used to describe someone who consistently arrives after the expected time. While it's appropriate for many contexts, it's important to use it accurately, reserving it for true habitual lateness rather than isolated incidents. When you want to convey other nuances in meaning, alternatives like "are constantly tardy" or "habitually miss deadlines" can provide slightly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are constantly tardy

Emphasizes the consistent nature of being late, focusing on the habit of tardiness.

are always behind schedule

Highlights the inability to adhere to timelines and planned activities.

habitually miss deadlines

Focuses specifically on the failure to meet agreed-upon completion times.

are chronically unpunctual

Emphasizes the ongoing and persistent issue of not being on time.

invariably arrive late

Highlights the predictable nature of their lateness, suggesting it's an expected occurrence.

are consistently delayed

Focuses on the recurrent experience of facing delays, leading to lateness.

are regularly running behind

Illustrates the frequent struggle to keep up with the expected pace or timing.

are frequently unpunctual

Highlights the common occurrence of not being on time.

are known for their tardiness

Suggests that being late is a recognizable characteristic or reputation.

struggle with punctuality

Focuses on the difficulty and effort involved in trying to be on time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are perpetually late"?

Alternatives include "are always tardy", "are consistently late", or "habitually miss deadlines". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "are perpetually late" in formal writing?

Yes, "are perpetually late" is generally appropriate for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider the tone and whether a more professional alternative like "chronically unpunctual" might be more suitable.

What does "perpetually" emphasize in the phrase "are perpetually late"?

The word "perpetually" emphasizes the ongoing and seemingly endless nature of the lateness. It suggests that the person or entity in question is consistently and habitually late, without any indication of improvement.

How to avoid being someone who is "are perpetually late"?

Strategies include setting earlier deadlines, preparing in advance, and identifying the root causes of lateness, such as poor time management or overcommitment. Addressing these underlying issues can help improve punctuality.