be late for school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be late for school' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone arriving after the intended time for a school activity. For example, "Bob needs to get up early or he'll be late for school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"You will be late for school".

The New Yorker

Dad smiles: "Come on, we'll be late for school".

The Guardian

"I am worried all the time about whether I am going to be late for school".

The Guardian

When the drawbridge was up, the streetcar would be delayed and we would be late for school.

The New York Times - Magazine

I used to wear my nightie over my school uniform so I wouldn't be late for school.

The Guardian - Books

According to an unscientific survey, eleven-year-old boys do not consider a kiss on the balcony a good reason to be late for school.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Our children are late for school.

The New York Times

(They're late for school).

The New York Times - Arts

The kids are late for school".

The New York Times

He thinks he is late for school but then he realizes it is Saturday.

The New Yorker

Children have been arrested for possessing cigarettes, wearing "inappropriate" clothes and being late for school.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving a reason for why someone might "be late for school", provide a clear explanation. For example, "He might be late for school because of the traffic."

Common error

Avoid vague statements about the reasons for being late. Instead of saying "He'll be late for school", specify the cause: "He'll be late for school if he doesn't leave now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be late for school" functions as a predicate within a sentence, expressing a potential or actual state of tardiness. It typically follows a subject (e.g., He will "be late for school") and indicates the consequence of not arriving on time. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be late for school" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe arriving at school after the scheduled start time. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, it maintains a generally neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to be clear about the reasons for potential lateness. Consider alternatives like "miss the start of school" or "arrive at school behind schedule" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive at school behind schedule

Focuses on the arrival aspect and emphasizes the deviation from the planned timetable.

miss the start of school

Highlights the consequence of being late, specifically missing the initial part of the school day.

be delayed in getting to school

Emphasizes the delay experienced during the journey to school.

not make it to school on time

A more general way of saying someone is late, applicable to various situations.

get to school later than expected

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the lateness.

fall behind schedule for school

Highlights the deviation from the planned timeline for school attendance.

fail to reach school promptly

A formal way of saying someone is late for school.

be unpunctual for school

Replaces the common 'late' with a more formal synonym, 'unpunctual'.

be tardy to school

Uses the word 'tardy', another synonym for 'late', which is more common in some regions.

run late for school

Indicates being in the process of becoming late, rather than already being late.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be late for school"?

You can use phrases like "arrive at school behind schedule", "miss the start of school", or "not make it to school on time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be late to school" or "be late for school"?

"Be late for school" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing. "Be late to school" is less frequently used.

What are common reasons why someone might "be late for school"?

Common reasons include traffic delays, oversleeping, unexpected events, or difficulty getting ready in the morning. For example, "She might "be late for school" due to a delayed bus."

What is the difference between "being late for school" and "missing school"?

"Being late for school" means arriving after the scheduled start time, while "missing school" implies not attending at all for a day or more.