had been tardy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been tardy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who was late or delayed in the past, often in a context discussing punctuality or attendance. Example: "She had been tardy to several meetings, which raised concerns about her commitment to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

His first-grade son had been tardy 11 times, he said — usually by only a few minutes.

The Washington Post

This benefited her daughter as an adult when a prospective employer called the school to inquire how often she had been tardy.

The New York Times

The shadow Welsh secretary, Peter Hain, called for a "full and proper public investigation" and said the police investigation had been "tardy".

The Guardian

Michelin had been tardy in recognizing the gastropub phenomenon in the same way that it had been slow to anoint the new generation of contemporary French bistros in Paris.

The New York Times

In Greene County in Georgia, high school students assigned to attend school on a Saturday because they had been tardy were recruited to participate in a teacher training session.

The New York Times

Next, The Boston Globe reported that in the 1980's Mr. Lynch had been tardy in paying more than $6,000 in taxes owed the state and federal governments, and that in the 1990's he defaulted on a $15,000, state-secured student loan taken out while he was in Boston College Law School.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

By comparison, much of continental Europe has been tardy.

The Economist

Yet Europe's response, with policy makers preoccupied by the festering currency crisis, has been tardy.

The New York Times

The official admitted 'this has happened quickly, and the response has been tardy.

The Guardian

The government seems to have been tardy about the whole thing".

The Guardian

She may have been tardy for the interview, but Ms. Olsen, nicknamed Lizzie, is running way ahead of schedule on her career.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been tardy" when you want to emphasize a past state of lateness and its consequences, especially when it's part of a formal report or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "had been tardy" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler alternatives like "was late" or "was delayed" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been tardy" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating a state of being late that occurred before a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in describing past attendance issues or delayed actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been tardy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past state of lateness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and notes its usage across news, science and formal contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate in formal writing, reports or when analyzing past actions. Simpler alternatives like "was late" might be preferable in more casual settings. The phrase's purpose is to report on previous lateness and its potential consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was late

Focuses specifically on being late, simpler and more direct.

was delayed

Emphasizes a delay, implying something caused the lateness.

had been unpunctual

More formal and emphasizes a lack of punctuality.

had missed the deadline

Specifically refers to missing a set deadline.

had been behind schedule

Focuses on falling behind a pre-set schedule.

had been negligent

Implies a neglect of duty or responsibility led to the lateness.

had defaulted

Suggests a failure to fulfill an obligation on time.

had been remiss

Similar to negligent, implying carelessness or a lapse in duty.

had tarried

More archaic, meaning to delay or linger.

had procrastinated

Highlights delaying or postponing an action.

FAQs

What does "had been tardy" mean?

The phrase "had been tardy" means someone was late or delayed in the past. It implies a state of being late that existed at some point before the present.

What's a simpler way to say "had been tardy"?

You can use phrases like "was late" or "was delayed" as simpler alternatives.

How do I use "had been tardy" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's past lateness. For example, "He had been tardy several times, so he received a warning."

Is "had been tardy" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "had been tardy" can sound slightly formal. In casual conversation, "was late" is more common.