frequently tardy

USAGE SUMMARY

"frequently tardy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is often late. Example: "She is frequently tardy to meetings, which frustrates her colleagues." Alternative expressions include "often late" and "regularly delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She was supposed to meet her best friend, Larissa Soos, at 10 a.m., and as a reminder to the frequently tardy Ms. Nyce, Ms. Soos called her house.

The New York Times

Frequently tardy and disruptive, and ticked off enough with management about his contract that he issued a trade demand last year, Kemp may not have been the source of all the Sonics' angst.

The New York Times - Sports

Manning had long predicted that the frequently tardy Reggie would be late for her funeral, and he almost was.

Wikipedia

Studies show that students who eat breakfast do better on standardized tests, pay attention and behave better in class, and are less frequently tardy, absent or sent to the nurse's office.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Previous research has shown that bullied adolescents are more frequently absent or tardy from class (e.g., Juvonen, Nishina, & Graham, 2000; Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996).

Child Development

Be tardy as often as possible.

WikiHow

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

BMJ Open

His bat's tardy".

The New York Times - Sports

Tardy, for instance?

The New York Times

A Tardy Moonflower Q.

The New York Times

Why so tardy?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific data or consequences to provide better context, such as mentioning the specific meetings or classes affected.

Common error

Avoid using "frequently tardy" alongside other frequency markers like "always" or "often" (e.g., "he is always frequently tardy"). Choose one precise frequency modifier to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frequently tardy" functions as an adjective phrase where the adverb "frequently" modifies the adjective "tardy". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is often used as a predicative adjective (e.g., "the players were tardy") or an attributive adjective (e.g., "frequently tardy Ms. Nyce"). Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical status as a valid way to denote repeated lateness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "frequently tardy" is a grammatically correct and effective phrase for describing a consistent pattern of lateness. Ludwig AI shows that while the specific exact phrase is relatively rare compared to simpler alternatives, it is favored by high-quality publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is particularly useful in contexts where a professional or academic tone is necessary, allowing the speaker to describe a recurring issue with precision and objectivity. Whether used to describe a professional athlete's behavior or a student's attendance record, it remains a robust choice for writers seeking a more sophisticated alternative to "often late".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

often late

Uses a more common adverb and a simpler adjective, making it suitable for casual conversation.

repeatedly late

Highlights the discrete instances of lateness occurring over and over.

consistently tardy

Emphasizes the unwavering nature of the lateness without deviation.

chronically unpunctual

Increases the intensity, suggesting a deep-seated habit or personality trait.

often behind

A very concise and informal way to describe the same condition.

usually unpunctual

Suggests that being late is the default state for the subject.

regularly delayed

Focuses on the event of being late rather than the attribute of the person.

habitually behind schedule

Shifts the focus to a scheduling perspective and uses a more formal adverb.

characteristically tardy

Implies that lateness is a defining characteristic of the person or entity.

frequently behindhand

Utilizes a somewhat archaic term for being late, giving it a more formal or literary tone.

FAQs

How to use "frequently tardy" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a recurring habit, such as: "The employee was noted as being "frequently tardy" in her annual performance review."

What can I say instead of "frequently tardy"?

Depending on the desired tone, you could use "often late", "chronically unpunctual" or "consistently late".

Is it correct to say "frequently tardy" or "regularly late"?

Both are correct. ""frequently tardy"" sounds slightly more formal and is common in academic and professional settings, while "regularly late" is more common in everyday speech.

What is the difference between "frequently tardy" and "chronically late"?

While similar, "chronically late" implies a more severe or ingrained habit that is difficult to change, whereas ""frequently tardy"" simply describes the high frequency of the occurrence.