late for someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "late for someone" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to express that someone is running behind schedule or arriving after the expected time for a particular person. It can also imply that the person is causing inconvenience or disappointment by being late. Example: I'm sorry I'm late for our meeting, I got stuck in traffic. In this sentence, "late for our meeting" implies that the person arrived after the expected time for the meeting, causing inconvenience for the other person.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

The New York Times

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Perhaps it is not too late for someone else.

The Economist

Is it too late for someone in his position to re-enter the industry?

The Guardian - Money

He learned the game at 17, very late for someone who would later become a top player.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not too late for someone in government or the Royal Bank of Scotland to think again".

The Guardian - Sport

Interpersonal relations patterns start early and are almost impossible to change; taking a graduate school class in ethics may be too late for someone who has not had good character modeled for them and required of them from early childhood.

Harvard Business Review

According to documents released yesterday by the Manhattan district attorney's office, Mr. Combs, known as Puff Daddy, repeatedly asked officers whether it was too late for someone to claim ownership of the gun.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But what is odd is such a late start for someone born into a ballet family.

The New York Times - Arts

All the components collided in the late '90s for someone who wasn't sure if he was an engineer or designer.

The New York Times

Sergeant Kang's reported radicalism — which drifted into expressions of support for Hitler and the assailant in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., according to the affidavit — appeared to be a late development for someone who had an established career in the Army.

The New York Times

"Beyond that it gets pretty late, particularly for someone who's never been around the track before". The awkward confluence of decisions facing the Governor in 1991 -- political and fiscal, presidential and parochial -- makes the coming months peculiarly treacherous for him.

The New York Times

You think, in other words, that if you live to your life expectancy (late 80s, for someone now 62) you'll get the same total whenever you begin benefits.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "late for someone", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific person or group of people for whom the lateness is relevant. This avoids ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "late for someone" when the lateness does not directly affect or inconvenience that specific person. If the lateness only affects yourself, use "late" without specifying a person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late for someone" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating that an action or event is occurring after the scheduled or expected time in relation to a specific individual. As Ludwig AI explains, it is commonly used to express that someone is running behind schedule or arriving after the expected time for a particular person.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

The Guardian

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "late for someone" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression, although it's not exceedingly common. Ludwig AI indicates that it conveys that someone is behind schedule or arriving later than expected, particularly impacting the individual referenced. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, and, as evidenced in the examples, often implies causing inconvenience. While perfectly acceptable in general usage, considering more formal alternatives such as "delayed in meeting someone" may be appropriate in certain settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind schedule for someone

Replaces "late" with a more descriptive phrase, maintaining the core meaning of being delayed.

behind time for someone

Similar to "behind schedule", but with a slightly different phrasing.

delayed for someone

Substitutes "late" with "delayed", emphasizing the fact of being held up.

running behind for someone

Emphasizes the action of being in the process of falling behind schedule.

tardy for someone

Uses "tardy" as a synonym for "late", adding a slightly more formal tone.

held up for someone

Highlights the reason for being late, suggesting an external cause.

unpunctual for someone

Uses "unpunctual" as a more formal synonym for "late".

not on time for someone

Offers a direct and simple way of expressing lateness.

delayed in meeting someone

Specifies the context of lateness as relating to a meeting.

overdue for someone

Implies that something was expected earlier, making it now late.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "late for someone" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "unpunctual for someone" or "delayed in meeting someone". These options add a level of professionalism to your language.

Is it always necessary to specify who I'm "late for"?

Specifying who you're "late for" is important when the lateness directly impacts that person. If it's a general delay that doesn't affect a specific individual, it's better to simply say you're "late".

What's the difference between "late for someone" and "late to something"?

"Late for someone" implies that your lateness is inconveniencing a particular person. "Late to something", on the other hand, suggests you're behind schedule for an event or activity.

Can I use "late for someone" in a business setting?

Yes, you can use "late for someone" in a business context, but be mindful of your tone. A more formal option, like "delayed in meeting someone", may be preferable in certain situations.