arriving late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arriving late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of someone coming to a place after the expected or scheduled time. Example: "She apologized for arriving late to the meeting, explaining that traffic had been heavier than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Since I am always leaving late, I am always arriving late which leads to arriving late to the next thing and the next.

Huffington Post

Families began arriving late on Christmas afternoon, during one of the worst blizzards of the winter.

The New Yorker

"Contestants arriving late will be disqualified".

The New York Times - Arts

We had no intention of arriving late.

The Guardian - Sport

Pressures of time and books arriving late.

The Guardian - Books

Bobby Thomson, arriving late, tapped me on the shoulder.

The New York Times - Sports

They felt like royalty, arriving late at the ball.

The Guardian - Film

Rose relents and attends the wedding, arriving late.

The New Yorker

RIM is arriving late at an already crowded party.

The Guardian

Although he never complained, she hated arriving late for work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Athletics then headed straight to the team hotel after arriving late last night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the consequences of "arriving late", be specific about the negative impact, such as missed opportunities or disruptions to schedules.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone is "arriving late" without addressing the underlying reasons. Providing context, such as traffic delays or unforeseen circumstances, adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arriving late" typically functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of not being on time. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arriving late" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of being tardy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, but also appears in academic and general writing. While often used neutrally, the phrase can carry negative connotations depending on the context. Related phrases include "being tardy" and "turning up late". When using the phrase, consider providing context for why someone is "arriving late" to enhance clarity and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showing up behind schedule

Emphasizes the lateness in relation to a set schedule or plan.

being tardy

A more formal and concise way of saying "arriving late".

turning up late

A common alternative, particularly in British English, indicating delayed arrival.

not being on time

Focuses on the failure to meet a designated time.

missing the start

Implies arriving after an event or activity has already begun.

coming after the appointed time

Highlights the aspect of arriving after a pre-arranged time.

being delayed

Focuses on the reason for being late, suggesting an external cause.

getting there behind time

Similar to "arriving late", but slightly more descriptive and informal.

making a late entrance

Often used when someone arrives at a social event after it has already started.

strolling in late

Emphasizes a casual or nonchalant attitude towards being late.

FAQs

How to use "arriving late" in a sentence?

You can use "arriving late" to describe the act of coming to a place or event after the scheduled time. For example, "Arriving late to the meeting caused him to miss important information."

What can I say instead of "arriving late"?

Alternatives include "being tardy", "turning up late", or "not being on time", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "arriving lately"?

"Arriving lately" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "arriving late", where "late" is an adverb modifying the verb "arriving".

What's the difference between "arriving late" and "being late"?

"Arriving late" describes the action of reaching a destination after the scheduled time, while "being late" is a more general statement about not being on time, which might refer to a state of habitually being unpunctual.