late for work

USAGE SUMMARY

'late for work' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is not punctual, or perhaps someone who is consistently late when arriving at their place of work. Example: After being late for work again, Jane's boss had enough and told her she would be docked pay.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm late for work.

The New York Times

One day, I was late for work.

The New Yorker

"I might be late for work".

The New York Times - Arts

Vasiliy the schoolteacher is late for work.

The Washington Post

David Tucker made an impressive debut in Late for Work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He'd been late for work three times that week.

The New Yorker

New Yorkers in Manhattan were often late for work.

The New York Times

Ms. Adler, late for work, nearly missed the car.

The New York Times

He was late for work in Long Island City.

The New York Times

You will be late for work on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Although he never complained, she hated arriving late for work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the phrase "late for work" in formal documents. Opt for more professional alternatives like "delayed in arrival" or "experiencing a tardiness incident".

Common error

Avoid using "at work" instead of "for work" when expressing lateness. "Late at work" implies being delayed while performing work, not arriving behind schedule. For example, say "I was late for work", not "I was late at work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late for work" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating a state of tardiness. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes the condition of not arriving at work on time. It provides essential context about the timing of someone's arrival.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "late for work" is a common and grammatically correct way to express tardiness in arriving at one's workplace. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for both casual and professional settings, alternative phrases may be preferred for formal communication. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to enhance clarity. Avoid confusing "late for work" with similar-sounding phrases. Overall, "late for work" is a clear and effective way to communicate tardiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showing up late to work

Highlights the action of arriving late.

running behind getting to the workplace

Focuses on the process of becoming late.

behind time arriving at work

Highlights the lack of punctuality in arriving.

held up on the way to the office

Highlights an external obstacle causing the lateness.

delayed in getting to the job

Emphasizes the delay in the journey to work.

tardy at the office

Uses the word 'tardy', which is a more formal synonym for late.

behind schedule at the office

Focuses on being behind on tasks rather than just arriving late.

missed the start of work

Focuses on missing the beginning of the work day.

not on time for duty

A more formal way to express lateness.

unpunctual at the job

Uses the more formal 'unpunctual' to describe lateness.

FAQs

What are some common reasons for being "late for work"?

Common reasons include traffic delays, public transportation issues, personal emergencies, oversleeping, or unexpected events. Providing a specific reason adds context and clarity.

How can I avoid being "late for work"?

Plan your commute in advance, set multiple alarms, prepare the night before, and factor in potential delays. Building buffer time can help mitigate unforeseen circumstances.

What are some alternative phrases for "late for work"?

You can use alternatives like "delayed in arrival", "tardy to work", or "behind schedule" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I am late for work" or "I was late for work"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "I am late for work" if you are currently running late. Use "I was late for work" if you are referring to a past incident.