be late

USAGE SUMMARY

"be late" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone arriving after a certain time or not arriving at all. For example: "I don't want to be late, so I'll leave now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But don't be late.

The New York Times

(So don't be late).

The New York Times - Arts

He would be late.

The New York Times

I'll probably be late.

The New York Times

"Sometimes she'd be late.

The New Yorker

We'll be late getting somewhere.

The New York Times

But just don't be late".

The New York Times

The headmistress will be late.

The Economist

The mail may be late.

The New York Times

I hate to be late.

The New York Times

Otherwise you'll be late.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling meetings or appointments, always factor in potential delays to avoid having to "be late".

Common error

Avoid using "lately" when you mean "late". "Lately" refers to something that happened recently, while "late" means arriving after the expected time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be late" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of tardiness or non-compliance with a set schedule. Ludwig shows its ubiquitous usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be late" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe arriving or occurring after a designated time. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. As Ludwig shows, it appears most frequently in news and media and Wiki contexts. While "be late" maintains a neutral register appropriate for various situations, it's important to differentiate its meaning from similar terms like "lately" to avoid confusion. Practical tips include proactively managing schedules to minimize lateness and understanding the various contexts in which the phrase can be effectively employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive late

Focuses specifically on the action of arriving after the expected time.

show up late

Similar to arrive late, but can also imply a lack of respect for the time of others.

not be on time

A direct negation of punctuality.

not make it on time

Emphasizes the failure to arrive within the allotted timeframe.

run behind schedule

Implies a delay in a planned timeline.

get held up

Suggests an unexpected obstacle caused the lateness.

be delayed

Suggests an external cause is responsible for the tardiness.

be tardy

A more formal synonym for "be late".

miss the deadline

Highlights the failure to meet a specific time constraint.

fall behind

Implies a gradual process of becoming late.

FAQs

How can I avoid "be late" for a meeting?

Plan your journey in advance, accounting for potential traffic or delays. Setting reminders and allowing extra time can also help ensure punctuality.

What does it mean to "be late"?

To "be late" means to arrive after the scheduled or expected time. It implies not being punctual and potentially causing inconvenience to others.

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

"Arrive late" specifically refers to the action of showing up after the designated time. "Be late" is more general and can refer to missing deadlines or appointments in addition to arrivals.

What are some other ways to say "I will "be late""?

You could say "I'm running behind", "I might arrive late", or "I'm "delayed" depending on the context and the reason for the expected tardiness.