arrive late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arrive late" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used when speaking about someone arriving at a place later than expected. For example: "I'm sorry I had to arrive late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And another storm is due to arrive late this afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

It is expected to arrive late Thursday night.

The New York Times

They expect to arrive late Thursday night at Elkhart Lake.

The New York Times

They arrive late at night, even for a mild cold.

BMC Health Services Research

If people expect me to be late, I arrive late.

Huffington Post

I decide to go and arrive late in the afternoon on day 1.

Huffington Post

Researchers typically arrive late in the morning and work until midnight.

Science Magazine

Shipments arrive late, or not at all.

The New York Times

Don't arrive late, you say.

The Guardian - Books

These grand schemes invariably arrive late and over budget.

The Economist

Often, students arrive late to class, which disrupts lessons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arrive late", specify the reason for the lateness to provide context and manage expectations. For example, "I will arrive late due to traffic."

Common error

Avoid using "arrive late" in highly formal contexts, such as official reports or legal documents. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives like "be delayed in arrival" or "arrive behind schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrive late" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of reaching a destination or event after the scheduled or expected time. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe tardiness in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "arrive late" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of reaching a destination or event after the expected time. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. Remember to specify the reason for lateness to provide context and manage expectations. Be mindful of formality levels and consider alternatives such as "show up late" or "be tardy" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show up late

Uses a more casual phrasal verb instead of "arrive".

get in late

Similar to "arrive late", but emphasizes the act of entering a place.

be tardy

Replaces "arrive late" with a more formal synonym for being late.

arrive behind time

A variation that emphasizes the temporal aspect of being late.

come late

Uses the verb "come" instead of "arrive", implying movement to a destination.

be delayed in arrival

Emphasizes the delay aspect of arriving.

not be on time

Focuses on the failure to meet the scheduled time.

roll in late

Suggests a casual or nonchalant lateness.

be behind schedule

Highlights the discrepancy with the planned timeline.

miss the start

Specifically refers to missing the beginning of an event or activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "arrive late" to describe being delayed in reaching a destination or event. For example, "I had to "arrive late" to the meeting because of a flat tire".

What are some alternatives to "arrive late"?

Alternatives include "show up late", "be tardy", or "come late", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "arrived late"?

Yes, "arrived late" is the past tense form of "arrive late" and is grammatically correct. For example, "He "arrived late" to the party."

What's the difference between "arrive late" and "be late"?

"Arrive late" specifically refers to the act of reaching a destination after the expected time, while "be late" is a more general term indicating tardiness for any obligation or event.