habitually late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "habitually late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who consistently arrives late to events or appointments. Example: "Despite numerous reminders, she remains habitually late to our meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

She was habitually late.

The New York Times - Arts

Be advised that he's habitually late.

The Guardian

New York's budget, due on April 1, is habitually late.

The New York Times

Even some clerks had clerks, yet payroll checks and student data were habitually late and inaccurate.

The New Yorker

Nick fired his old supplier, who was habitually late, and gave Mr. Diakite the business.

The New York Times

He is habitually late for appointments and often fails to show at all.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Until he died, earlier this month, at the age of ninety-four, the oldest regular was Hank Turner, a trumpet player and former bandleader, who once fired Charlie Parker for habitually arriving late for rehearsals.

The New Yorker

The parent union said other reasons for the trusteeship were that the local's financial reports were habitually filed late and that it had no plans to stop the depletion of its financial assets.

The New York Times

Schumacher was one who habitually stayed late, and those Ferrari mechanics – the heirs to a 40-year tradition – soon discovered if their labours made the car half a second quicker, then he would respond by digging into his own resources and finding another half-second to go with it.

The Guardian - Sport

Wales have to get off to better starts in games, they have habitually been late starters over the past 12 months and going behind in games.

BBC

Her work with Minna Lyons at Liverpool Hope University revealed that people who habitually stayed up late were, on average, more self-admiring, manipulative and psychopathic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "habitually late", be specific about the context. For example, "He is habitually late for meetings" provides more clarity than just "He is habitually late".

Common error

Avoid attributing "habitually late" behavior solely to laziness or lack of respect. Consider underlying factors such as poor time management skills, unrealistic scheduling, or underlying stress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "habitually late" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the consistent nature of being late. As Ludwig indicates, the usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "habitually late" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a consistent pattern of lateness. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is suitable for neutral and professional communication, it's important to consider underlying causes rather than making assumptions about the person or thing being described. By understanding the nuances and potential alternatives, writers can effectively and sensitively convey the message of consistent lateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently tardy

Replaces "late" with "tardy" and "habitually" with "frequently", both indicating regular occurrence.

consistently behind schedule

Focuses on the consistent failure to meet schedules rather than just lateness.

perpetually unpunctual

Emphasizes the continuous and ongoing nature of being late.

always running late

A more casual way of expressing the consistent lateness.

chronically delayed

Highlights the chronic, long-term nature of the lateness.

regularly not on time

A straightforward and slightly less formal way of saying habitually late.

invariably behind

Focuses on the state of being behind rather than the act of being late.

ordinarily tardy

Uses "ordinarily" to suggest that lateness is the usual case.

usually delayed

Indicates that lateness is the typical occurrence.

customarily unpunctual

Replaces "late" with the more formal "unpunctual" and "habitually" with "customarily".

FAQs

What does "habitually late" mean?

The phrase "habitually late" means someone is consistently or regularly not on time. It suggests a pattern of lateness rather than an isolated incident.

What can I say instead of "habitually late"?

You can use alternatives like "frequently tardy", "chronically delayed", or "perpetually unpunctual" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "habitually late"?

Yes, "habitually late" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe someone who is consistently late.

What are some strategies to help someone who is "habitually late"?

Strategies include improving time management skills, setting earlier deadlines, and identifying underlying causes of lateness. Consider suggesting techniques found on "improve time management" to address the issue.