become late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is arriving or happening later than expected. Example: "I didn't mean to become late for the meeting, but traffic was terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

List any late fees or interest you will charge on late payments, and note the deadline when payments become late.

WikiHow

If not for Miami's blowout of Florida, the final might have become Late Night with Venus and Serena.

The New York Times - Sports

Ron Harper, once an exceptional scorer, had become, late in his career in Chicago, a defensive specialist, and he, too, was sick — apparently from something he had eaten.

The New Yorker

DIANE SAATCHI, a senior vice president in the East Hampton, N.Y., office of the Corcoran Group, the real estate firm, doesn't need to check the calendar to know when early April has become late April has inched over to May.

The New York Times - Travel

Users can submit their own ideas, but the company will determine which of those ideas actually become Late Labs projects.

TechCrunch

Are the missing early relapses in Forget et al. data never to happen or are they merely postponed to become late relapses?

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Apple Watch could become latest must-have fashion accessory.

Los Angeles Times

He also became, late in his life, the leading Swiss painter of the 19th century.

Independent

The peak time of semiannual PWV cycles is during about January March and July September, and the peak time gradually becomes late from north to south.

Advances in Space Research

Assess accrued interest charges beginning on the first day the bill becomes late.

WikiHow

B3 Podcast industry becomes latest victim of adblocking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing deadlines, explicitly state the consequences of "become late", such as late fees or penalties, to encourage timely action.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on the result of "become late" without addressing the root cause. Investigate the reasons behind the delay to prevent recurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become late" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a transition into a state of tardiness or delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It often describes a process or a change in status, as seen in Ludwig's examples related to payments or activation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become late" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a transition into a state of tardiness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English writing. Its register is typically neutral, and it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general informational articles. When using "become late", it is beneficial to consider related phrases such as "arrive late" or "get delayed" depending on the specific context. Always specify potential consequences to promote timely action and investigate underlying causes to prevent future occurrences. The analysis of various sources confirms the consistent and reliable usage of the phrase "become late" in diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive late

Focuses specifically on the act of arriving after the expected time, emphasizing the arrival itself.

be running late

Focuses on the ongoing state of being in the process of becoming late.

get delayed

Highlights the experience of being held up or experiencing a setback, leading to lateness.

be delayed

General expression of being held up.

be tardy

A more formal synonym for being late, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

turn up late

Focuses on the act of appearing after the designated time.

run behind schedule

Indicates a deviation from a planned timeline, resulting in lateness.

fall behind

Similar to running behind, but can also suggest a more general state of being delayed or lagging.

end up late

Highlights the unintended consequence of being late, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

grow belated

Emphasizes a process of becoming late over time, with a sense of something that should have been done earlier.

FAQs

How can I avoid "become late" on payments?

Set reminders, automate payments, and keep track of due dates to avoid "become late" with your payments. You might also consider signing up for payment notifications from the service provider.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "become late"?

You can use alternatives like "arrive late", "get delayed", or "be tardy" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "become late" and "is late"?

"Become late" indicates a transition into a state of lateness, whereas "is late" describes the current state of being late. For example, "The payment will become late if not received by the 5th" versus "The payment is late; a late fee will be applied".

Is it acceptable to use "become late" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "become late" is acceptable in formal writing. However, depending on the context, alternatives such as "be delayed" or "is overdue" may be more appropriate.