be late in replying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be late in replying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when apologizing for a delayed response to someone’s message or inquiry. Example: "I apologize if I seem to be late in replying; I have been swamped with work lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In November the information commissioner, Richard Thomas, rapped the Department for Communities for delays of up to 400 days in processing requests, and this week the Ministry of Justice admitted that it was late in replying to a third of its requests last year.Part of the reason they can afford to be so relaxed is that the commissioner's office is itself slow in pursuing complaints.

The Economist

If so, this must have been late in his career; the reply to Aristagoras in 499 looks straightforward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was late in 2002.

The New Yorker

Take some time to think before replying; in the end, it is better to be late than sorry.

WikiHow

I have received your kind letter some time ago and am sorry to be so late in reply ing.

The New York Times

"It was late and it had 'please reply by' and it gave today's date.

Independent

As if she was Alice from Wonderland, the other girl replied, "ahh, I'm late, I'm late!

Huffington Post

Abu Ali replied in an Aleppo accent – he figured a local by himself was less suspicious than a foreigner: "I'm sorry, I'm late, I have to go".

The Guardian

How late is late?

The New York Times

"I'm in," replies Charlie.

Vice

"I'm in," replied Snoop Dogg.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When apologizing for "be late in replying", briefly explain the reason for the delay to show consideration for the recipient's time and expectations.

Common error

Avoid excessive apologies when you "be late in replying". A simple acknowledgement of the delay is often sufficient. Overdoing it can undermine your message and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be late in replying" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically expressing regret or providing an explanation for a delayed response. It builds upon the verb "to be" to describe the action of replying with some lateness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Wiki

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Encyclopedias

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Less common in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be late in replying" serves as a polite way to acknowledge and apologize for a delay in responding. While Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound, there are no exact examples in the provided dataset. This suggests the phrase could be relatively less common or more nuanced in its usage. Alternative phrases, such as "respond tardily" or "be delayed in responding", can provide similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. When using the phrase, providing a brief explanation for the delay is a best practice. The phrase is versatile across contexts, leaning towards a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be delayed in responding

Substitutes "replying" with "responding" and uses "delayed" instead of "late".

Be slow to respond

Uses "slow" as an adjective instead of "late", highlighting the pace of the response.

Reply after a delay

Emphasizes the fact that a delay occurred before the response was sent.

Take a while to reply

Focuses on the duration of time before the reply is sent.

Get back with delay

Emphasizes the act of getting back to someone but with a delay.

Acknowledge with delay

Focuses on acknowledging something after a period of delay.

Reply with delay

Reverses the structure and uses "reply" as the main action with an adverbial modifier indicating lateness.

Reply with some lateness

Adds emphasis on a certain degree of lateness.

Answer belatedly

Replaces "be late in" with the single adverb "belatedly", focusing on the timing of the answer.

Respond tardily

Replaces "be late in" with the single adverb "tardily", focusing on the manner of response.

FAQs

How can I politely apologize for "be late in replying"?

You can say "I apologize for the delay in replying" or "I'm sorry for my late response". Ensure you provide a brief explanation if appropriate.

What's a more formal way to say "be late in replying"?

In formal contexts, consider using "I regret the delay in my response" or "Please accept my apologies for the delayed reply".

What are some alternatives to "be late in replying" that emphasize the reason for the delay?

You could say "I'm sorry for the delay; I've "been overwhelmed" with other commitments" or "Apologies for the late response; I was "out of the office"".

How can I avoid "be late in replying" in the future?

Prioritize responding to important messages promptly, set reminders, or delegate tasks to ensure timely communication.