arrive at work late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arrive at work late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing punctuality or attendance at a workplace. Example: "Due to heavy traffic, I will arrive at work late today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"So then if you ever say the wrong thing, make a mistake, or arrive at work late, the other person is more likely to assume the best". A strong first impression, she says, "gives you more latitude to be human". Here are some strategies to help ensure others see the best in you from the beginning.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I arrive at work today, I learn that we are short one waiter.

Harvard Business Review

Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, the majority leader in the House, informed members on Wednesday that when they arrive at work next Monday they should plan to stay until their legislative business is complete.

The New York Times

After two days off, the 10-4 Giants will arrive at work today knowing that just one victory in their final two games -- at Washington on Saturday or at Oakland a week later -- will earn them the N.F.C.

The New York Times

When I arrived at work today at an alternative junior high school on the Lower East Side, I found the students excitedly discussing Clemens's behavior.

The New York Times

Mr. Williams arrived at work yesterday morning to find a cluster of fire trucks, police cars and news vans blocking traffic, and a garbage truck wedged into the side of the one-story auto repair shop he had owned for seven years.

The New York Times

The majority leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee, and other lawmakers arrived at work today expecting the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee to adopt the compromise, which tries to shield vaccine makers from lawsuits while expanding the rights of parents of injured children to bring claims before a special court.

The New York Times

Ministers arriving at work today found demoralized, impoverished and, one minister pointed out, poorly dressed staffs; buildings stripped of all but a few desks, chairs and typewriters; portfolios in equally sorry shape; and not a cent to do anything about it.

The New York Times

The unintended consequence was people arriving at work earlier and earlier to secure a parking place.

Huffington Post

Arriving at work earlier this week I was greeted by two competing views of reality.

HuffPost

"[M]y phone shows that I arrived at work yesterday at 8 56 AM," Adam M. Gershowitz, a professor at William & Mary Law School, said after digging into his own iPhone, noting that it also showed where he had lunch.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about being late, provide a concise explanation for the delay to maintain professionalism and transparency.

Common error

Avoid using excessively passive constructions when describing lateness. Instead of saying "The arrival at work was late", use the active voice: "I arrived at work late" for clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrive at work late" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the manner or time in which someone arrives at their workplace, indicating a deviation from the expected or scheduled time. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arrive at work late" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe tardiness at work. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for written communication. While the phrase itself is neutral, the context surrounding its use can influence its formality. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide a concise explanation for the lateness. Related phrases include "get to work late" and "be late for work", offering slight variations in emphasis and formality. To avoid common errors, use the active voice for directness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be late for work

Simplifies the phrase, omitting "arrive at" for brevity.

Get to work late

Uses "get to" instead of "arrive at", a more informal alternative.

Show up late to work

Replaces "arrive at" with "show up", emphasizing the act of appearing late.

Come in late to work

A slightly more verbose but equally common way of expressing lateness at work.

Turn up late for work

Uses the phrasal verb "turn up" which is more common in British English.

Be tardy for work

Uses the more formal term "tardy" instead of "late".

Start work late

Focuses on the commencement of work rather than the act of arriving.

Report to work behind schedule

A more formal and detailed way of saying "arrive at work late", suitable for official reports.

Clock in late

Focuses on the act of recording arrival time, implying lateness.

Roll into work late

A more casual way to say "arrive at work late", implying a relaxed or nonchalant attitude.

FAQs

How can I politely inform my employer that I will "arrive at work late"?

You can say, "I apologize, but I will be "late for work" today due to [reason]. I expect to arrive around [time]."

What are some professional ways to explain why I "arrive at work late"?

Instead of vague excuses, provide a brief and specific reason, such as "due to a traffic delay" or "because of a family emergency". It shows responsibility and transparency.

What is the difference between "arrive at work late" and "be late for work"?

The difference is subtle. "Arrive at work late" emphasizes the action of arriving, while "be late for work" is a general statement about not being on time. They are often interchangeable.

What should I do if I frequently "arrive at work late"?

Address the underlying causes, communicate proactively with your employer, and implement strategies to improve punctuality, such as adjusting your commute or preparing in advance.