be tardy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be tardy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of being late or delayed, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "Please do not be tardy for the meeting, as we have a tight schedule to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

True, central banks have been raising interest rates, but they have tended to be tardy.

The Economist

The soldier had previously received several warnings not to be tardy to his platoon's patrols.

The New York Times

Coming next month are a new pair of "Housewives of Atlanta" spinoffs, "Don't Be Tardy" and "The Kandi Factory".

The New York Times - Arts

He was seen to be tardy in dealing with a former mayor of London's crass Nazi comments.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the university, former students were pulling corpses from the wreckage but were angry with authorities, who they perceived to be tardy in responding to the devastation.

The Guardian

It was a game that was expected to cause more than a few fans in Japan who stayed home to watch the live broadcast Wednesday morning to be tardy for work or school.

The New York Times - Sports

12 To that end, prosecuting attorneys were enjoined to be diligent in enforcement of the Act's provisions, and large rewards were offered to stimulate actions by private parties should the prosecuting officers be tardy in bringing the suits.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Wherefore, beloved, be not tardy-may all in common not be tardy- to give ear to my request, and to that of thy fellow bishops, that thou do come to Worms at Pentecost; and that thou there, with the other princes, do listen to many things a few of which are mentioned in this letter; and that thou do show what is to be done.

Yale University

The average tardiness of those who were tardy fell from 16.75 min (5.59) to 2.0 min.

BMJ Open

He did, but was tardy in arriving.

The New Yorker

The maharajah was tardy in choosing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be tardy" to add emphasis when you want to highlight a sense of formality or importance associated with being late. For example: "He was warned not to be tardy for the commencement ceremony."

Common error

Avoid using "be tardy" in casual settings or everyday conversations. This phrase sounds overly formal and can come across as stilted or unnatural. Instead, opt for more common alternatives like "be late" or "arrive late".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be tardy" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, where "be" serves as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "tardy". As noted by Ludwig, this construct is both grammatically sound and acceptable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be tardy" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that means to be late or delayed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While the phrase is relatively common, it carries a more formal tone and is best suited for professional, academic, or formal contexts. In casual settings, it is generally better to opt for alternatives like "be late" or "arrive late". Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing between "be tardy" and its more casual synonyms to ensure your writing is both accurate and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be late

This is the most direct and common synonym, suitable for most contexts.

arrive late

Focuses on the action of arriving after the expected time.

run late

Implies a delay in a schedule or planned activity.

be delayed

Suggests an external cause is responsible for the lateness.

fall behind schedule

Indicates a failure to maintain the expected timeline.

not be on time

A more explicit way of stating lateness, lacking nuance.

miss the deadline

Specifically refers to failing to meet a set completion date.

be unpunctual

A formal synonym for not being on time, emphasizing a lack of punctuality.

tarry

A more archaic term for delaying or lingering, resulting in lateness.

be behind

Suggests a state of being less advanced than planned.

FAQs

What does "be tardy" mean?

The phrase "be tardy" means to be late or delayed. It carries a more formal tone than simply saying "be late".

When is it appropriate to use "be tardy"?

Use "be tardy" in formal contexts, such as academic writing, professional communications, or legal documents. In casual conversation, it's better to use "arrive late" or "be late".

What are some alternatives to "be tardy"?

Instead of "be tardy", you can use phrases like "be late", "arrive late", "run late", or "be delayed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be tardy" grammatically correct?

Yes, "be tardy" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules, where "be" is the auxiliary verb and "tardy" is an adjective describing the state of being late. According to Ludwig AI, this is correct and usable in written English.