belated arrival

USAGE SUMMARY

'belated arrival' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone arrives later than expected or intended. For example: "We had to start the meeting without him due to his belated arrival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

They have welcomed BlackBerry 10's belated arrival wholeheartedly.

The Economist

Great excitement all round followed G. G.'s belated arrival.

The New York Times - Magazine

Before their belated arrival at the wedding, they improvise outdoor dressing rooms behind strung-up sheets and blankets.

The New York Times

The belated arrival of "Zama" in the United States raises an admittedly hyperbolic question: Can it be that the Great American Novel was written by an Argentinean?

The New Yorker

Mr. Masur, who is in his 11th and final season as music director of the Philharmonic, is philosophical about the concerto's belated arrival.

The New York Times - Arts

Within minutes of Doherty's belated arrival, they are sipping Brit Spritz cocktails with arms entwined like bride and groom, and disagreeing over whether the view from the hotel reminds them of Brief Encounter or The End of the Affair.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Expect a torrent of prominent Euro-releases, including some belated arrivals from last year's Cannes, notably the Dardenne brothers on top form in The Kid with the Bike, their first film to feature a legit star (Cécile de France, last seen in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter), and Finnish jester Aki Kaurismäki's laconically joyous (and very political) French outing Le Havre.

Independent

For one thing, the cluttered diplomatic field In Bosnia included the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE and NATO as a belated late arrival.

Huffington Post

By Françoise Mouly April 9, 2018 By Françoise Mouly April 9, 2018 The London-based cartoonist Tom Gauld's latest cover, "Soundtrack to Spring," announces the arrival — however belated — of a new season in the city.

The New Yorker

Cinema bookers are now hoping that the arrival of two belated sequels – Bridget Jones's Baby and Blair Witch – can remedy the situation this weekend.

The Guardian - Film

In TV interviews before his arrival he mocked the belated and entirely fruitless attempts by the US to train and arm moderate rebels in Syria to fight Assad, noting that many had been killed or captured and that military hardware provided to them by America had fallen into terrorist hands.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "belated arrival", ensure the context makes it clear who or what is arriving late, and the impact of that lateness. This prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "belated arrival" when you simply mean the arrival was unwelcome. "Belated" specifically refers to lateness, not desirability. For example, if a guest shows up on time but is not welcome, do not refer to it as a "belated arrival".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belated arrival" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it describing delayed appearances of people, events, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "belated arrival" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something or someone arriving later than expected. Ludwig AI indicates it is commonly found in News & Media, Wikipedia, and Science contexts and carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is arriving late and the potential impact of the delay. Be mindful of avoiding confusion with simply 'unwanted' arrivals. If you need alternatives, consider options like "late appearance" or "delayed entrance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed arrival

Simple swap of word order, keeps the same meaning.

late appearance

Emphasizes the tardiness of the appearance, simplifying the original phrase.

delayed entrance

Focuses on the postponement of the entry, changing arrival for a synonymous.

tardy entrance

Synonymous, but uses 'tardy' to highlight the lateness of the entrance.

overdue entrance

Highlights that the entrance was expected earlier.

retarded arrival

While synonymous, this alternative is less common and may carry negative connotations.

latecomer

Replaces the phrase with a noun indicating someone who arrives late.

unexpected arrival

Focuses on the unanticipated nature, not necessarily the lateness.

untimely arrival

Indicates the arrival was poorly timed.

lateness

Abstract noun referring to the state of being late, rather than the act of arriving.

FAQs

What does "belated arrival" mean?

"Belated arrival" refers to someone or something arriving later than expected or scheduled. It emphasizes the lateness of the arrival.

How can I use "belated arrival" in a sentence?

You can use "belated arrival" to describe a person, event, or thing that comes late, such as: "The meeting started late due to the "belated arrival" of the keynote speaker."

What are some alternatives to "belated arrival"?

Some alternatives include "late appearance", "delayed entrance", or "tardy entrance" depending on the context.

Is "belated arrival" formal or informal?

"Belated arrival" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing.