late for school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'late for school' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as "I was running late for school, so I had to rush out the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

School attendance - number of days missed or late for school over the preceding three months [ 5].

BMC Pediatrics

Late for school!

The New Yorker

"Our children are late for school.

The New York Times

"You will be late for school".

The New Yorker

(They're late for school).

The New York Times - Arts

The children will be late for school.

The New York Times

Occasionally, they showed up late for school.

The New York Times

Dropped your kids off late for school?

The Guardian - Money

You were almost late for school.

The New Yorker

The kids are late for school".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

run, I started over and switched personalities, transforming into a late-for-school Autobahn instructor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about students, consider using "late for school" to reflect the urgency and impact of being behind schedule on their academic day. It is better than saying simply "late".

Common error

Avoid using "late for school" when describing events that occur after school hours or are unrelated to the school day. Ensure the context clearly indicates tardiness in attending school.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late for school" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject (e.g., "He is late for school"). Ludwig AI indicates that it describes the state of being behind schedule in relation to attending school. The examples show its role in everyday communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "late for school" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe tardiness regarding school attendance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in a variety of contexts, primarily news and media, and everyday conversation. Although it can be used in more formal settings, it is generally appropriate for informal and neutral situations. Remember to consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the situation when using this phrase. Pay attention to the various alternative expressions provided to add variety to your writing. As the examples show, the phrase is widely recognized and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tardy to school

Replaces "late" with its synonym "tardy", offering a slightly more formal tone.

running behind schedule for school

Rephrases "late for school" using "running behind schedule", emphasizing the act of falling behind.

arriving late at school

Shifts the focus to the action of arriving, emphasizing the delayed arrival.

delayed in getting to school

Focuses on the delay aspect, suggesting something hindered arrival at school.

held up on the way to school

Highlights an obstruction or impediment that caused the lateness.

missing the start of school

Highlights the consequence of lateness, which is missing the beginning of the school day.

not on time for classes

Emphasizes the lack of punctuality for the beginning of classes.

behind time for school

Uses the term "behind time" to express tardiness in a more general sense.

struggling to get to school on time

Emphasizes the difficulty or effort involved in arriving at school punctually.

not punctual for school

Employs the adjective "punctual" to directly address the issue of being on time.

FAQs

How can I use "late for school" in a sentence?

You can use "late for school" to describe a situation where someone is not on time for the start of the school day. For instance, "I woke up "late for school" and had to rush to catch the bus."

What are some alternatives to saying "late for school"?

You can use alternatives like "running behind schedule for school", "tardy to school", or "delayed in getting to school" to express the same idea with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "late to school" instead of "late for school"?

While "late to school" is sometimes used, "late for school" is the more common and generally preferred construction. Both are understandable, but "late for school" aligns better with standard English usage.

What's the difference between being "late for school" and "skipping school"?

Being "late for school" means arriving after the scheduled start time, while "skipping school" implies intentionally missing the entire day or a significant portion of it. One is a matter of timing, while the other is a matter of attendance.