has been late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has consistently arrived or occurred after the expected time. Example: "She has been late to every meeting this month, which is becoming a concern for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Microsoft has been late to the tablet party.

The New York Times

One thing, conceivably, he has been late in turning to.

The Guardian - Music

So far, the Vatican's response has been late and lame.

The New York Times

Tensions have developed over what militia members say has been late pay and other shabby treatment.

The New York Times

But the other side has been late in having second thoughts.

The New Yorker

The result has been late flowering plants and possibly many young birds going hungry.

The Guardian

"The only anomaly has been late 1999 and the first quarter of 2000".

The New York Times

He also says it has been late in paying some fees to Marriott.

The New York Times

Microsoft has been late to this game, but it has now waded in.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Curling has been late-night comedians' Winter Olympics punchline for decades.

The Guardian - Sport

Manufacturing has been late-to-the-game mainly due to connectivity and security issues, but as cloud computing advances, these concerns fade away.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been late", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a single instance of lateness or a recurring pattern. Adding adverbs like "repeatedly" or "occasionally" can provide clarity.

Common error

Be mindful of the tense. "Has been late" implies a continuing pattern or series of instances up to the present, whereas "was late" refers to a single, completed event in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been late" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being delayed or not on time, which has occurred repeatedly or continues to occur up to the present. Ludwig indicates that this is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been late" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a pattern of tardiness or delay persisting into the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase serves to inform or critique the punctuality of individuals, events, or processes. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clearly defines the scope and duration of the lateness. Be aware of the distinction between "has been late" (a continuing pattern) and "was late" (a single past occurrence) for accurate tense usage. Consider alternatives like "was delayed" or "was tardy" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not on time

A straightforward way of saying that someone or something wasn't punctual.

was tardy

A more formal synonym for "late", often used in official contexts or when discussing rules.

was unpunctual

A direct synonym for not being on time; emphasizes the lack of punctuality.

was delayed

Focuses on the delay itself, without necessarily implying fault or habitual behavior.

failed to appear on time

More formal and specific, highlighting a failure to meet the expected arrival time.

arrived behind schedule

Highlights the fact that something or someone got behind the planned timing.

was behind time

Emphasizes the state of being late and potentially rushed.

missed the deadline

Specifically refers to failing to meet a set time for completion or submission.

was overdue

Indicates that something has passed its expected or required time.

fell behind

Emphasizes the act of lagging or progressing slower than expected.

FAQs

How do I use "has been late" in a sentence?

Use "has been late" to describe a recurring action or a pattern of being late up to the present moment. For example, "The train has been late every day this week."

What can I say instead of "has been late"?

You can use alternatives like "was delayed", "was tardy", or "was not on time" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "has been late" and "was late"?

"Has been late" suggests a continuing pattern or series of late occurrences, whereas "was late" refers to a single instance in the past. For example, "He was late to the meeting yesterday" vs. "He has been late to work every day this week."

Is it correct to say "has been belated" instead of "has been late"?

While "belated" implies lateness, it's more commonly used to describe things like wishes or acknowledgements that are expressed after the appropriate time. Using "has been late" is typically better for describing someone or something not being on time.