belated reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "belated reaction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a response or reaction that occurs later than expected or after a significant delay. Example: "Her belated reaction to the news surprised everyone, as she had been quiet for so long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A slightly belated reaction to Jonathan Schlefer's interesting piece on the revived influence of Wynne Godley.

The New York Times

Among the fallers was Standard Chartered, down 24p to 915.4p in belated reaction to a hefty sell note from Deutsche Bank.

The Guardian - Business

Over the last three years, however, in a belated reaction to the 2008 bank bailouts, cracks have started to appear.

The Guardian - Books

A belated reaction to the company's disappointing quarterly revenue growth, reported on Thursday after the close of the market, contributed to the price drop.

The New York Times

This week, in a belated reaction to Iguala, the president urged the opposition to join him in a pact for the rule of law.

The Economist

So part of the fall in these markets reflected a belated reaction to Wall Street's plunge on Friday after the Labor Department announced a sharp increase in unemployment, to 5.5percentt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But this is also an administration repeatedly stung by the criticism that its foreign policy has been a series of belated reactions, rather than the product of any global strategy.

The New York Times

If the votes against Eisner are not necessarily about Disney's "vision" or its "magic," two factors repeatedly cited by Roy Disney, they seem to be belated reactions to Disney's management style over the years, which included off-the-charts option grants to the CEO and a board seen to be hand picked by and extremely close to Eisner (see: "CEO For Life?").

Forbes

"I can only surmise that this is Neil Simon's belated response to the negative critical reaction," she wrote.

The New York Times

It was a troublingly belated response.

The New Yorker

Arguably the conflict of 1962 was in part a belated, vindictive, reaction by Mao to punish his neighbour for granting asylum to an internal opponent.Signs of the war are mostly gone.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "belated reaction" to emphasize that a response was significantly delayed, particularly when the delay is noteworthy or has consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "belated reaction" when you mean a "belated acknowledgement". A "belated reaction" implies a delayed response to something, while a "belated acknowledgement" implies a delayed recognition or acceptance of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belated reaction" functions as a noun phrase, where "belated" modifies the noun "reaction". It describes a reaction that is delayed or comes later than expected. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Business

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "belated reaction" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that denotes a delayed response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically employed to emphasize the lateness of a reaction, often implying a negative connotation. Usage is mostly common in "News & Media", "Business" and "Lifestyle" contexts. Alternative phrases like "delayed response" or "late response" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a delayed response rather than a delayed acknowledgement. Remember that the word choice can impact the tone and perception of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed response

Focuses on the timing of the response, highlighting the delay.

tardy response

Emphasizes the lateness or unpunctuality of the response.

tardy reaction

Emphasizes the lateness or unpunctuality of the reaction.

late response

A more straightforward and common way to express a reaction that occurred late.

delayed action

Shifts the focus from reaction to action, implying a delay in taking action.

overdue response

Highlights that the response was expected earlier and is now past due.

slow reaction

Highlights the speed with which the reaction occurs.

retarded reaction

Indicates a slowing of the reaction.

after-the-fact response

Implies the response occurred after the event or situation has already passed.

subsequent response

Focuses on the timing of the response relative to a prior event.

FAQs

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

You can use "belated reaction" to describe a delayed response to an event or situation. For example, "The company's "belated reaction" to the crisis only made things worse."

What's a more formal alternative to "belated reaction"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "delayed response" or "tardy response". These phrases convey a similar meaning but may be more suitable in professional or academic contexts.

Is it always negative to describe a reaction as "belated"?

While often used in a negative context to suggest a lack of timeliness or effectiveness, "belated reaction" can sometimes be neutral, simply indicating that a response came later than initially anticipated. It depends on the specific situation and the intent of the speaker.

What is the difference between ""belated reaction"" and "immediate reaction"?

"Belated reaction" means a reaction that is delayed or comes late, whereas "immediate reaction" signifies a response that is prompt and without delay. The phrases are direct antonyms in terms of the timing of the response.