running late excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running late excuse" is not standard in written English. It can be used informally to refer to an excuse for being late. Example: "I had a running late excuse ready for my meeting." Alternative expressions include "tardiness excuse" and "lateness justification."

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Running late is not an excuse for not eating breakfast!! Do not rush so fast that you forget something.

WikiHow

At the very least, if you're unable to curtail your lateness, at least be polite enough to inform others that you're running late along with a valid excuse.

WikiHow

If things get awkward, you can always use the excuse that you're running late for something else to get out of there!

WikiHow

​. "We will raise awareness about this internationally," said the translator without really translating and then excused himself and his Russian colleague, because they were running late for their conference.

Vice

The problem was that she was running late to get down to her parents' house in Sussex and was now wracking her brains for an excuse to give to her mother.

The Guardian

Train running late?

The New York Times

She was already running late.

The New York Times

Running late for a meeting.

The New York Times

Dr. Flaherty was running late.

The New York Times

JAVIER CORRAL is running late.

The Economist

He was running late, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "running late excuse", ensure the context is clear about who is running late and what the excuse is for. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying on the same "running late excuse" repeatedly. This can diminish credibility and appear insincere. Instead, vary your explanations and be truthful whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running late excuse" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a reason or justification for being delayed. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in contexts requiring explanations for tardiness. Its purpose is to provide a reason for being late.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "running late excuse" refers to a justification or explanation provided for being delayed. Ludwig AI analysis identifies the phrase as acceptable but not grammatically perfect, suggesting a need for context-specific application. The sources come from mostly news media outlets, showing the phrase is used neutrally. While there are no exact matches, the related phrases offer alternative ways to express the cause of a delay or offer an explanation for tardiness. Using specific and honest explanations is more effective than relying on a repetitive or insincere "running late excuse".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reason for lateness

Focuses on the cause of being late, replacing "excuse" with a more direct term.

Explanation for delay

Emphasizes providing a justification for the delay, shifting from a potential "excuse" to a clearer "explanation".

Justification for tardiness

Replaces "running late" with the more formal "tardiness", and "excuse" with "justification".

Account for being late

Focuses on providing an account or reason for the lateness.

Valid reason for delay

Highlights the need for a legitimate reason when delayed.

Acceptable reason for not being on time

Extends the phrase to include the broader concept of not being on time, requiring an acceptable explanation.

Plausible explanation for delay

Emphasizes the need for the reason to be believable or plausible.

Reason for the missed appointment

Shifts the context to a missed appointment, requiring a reason for the absence.

What caused the lateness

Directly asks for the cause of the delay.

Circumstances that caused the delay

Highlights the circumstances or events that led to the delay.

FAQs

How can I politely explain that I need a "running late excuse"?

Be honest and direct, but also apologetic. For example, you could say, "I need a "reason for being late" to the meeting because of unforeseen circumstances."

What are some professional alternatives to "running late excuse"?

In a professional setting, consider using phrases like "unavoidable delay", "unexpected circumstances", or "unforeseen issues" to explain your tardiness.

How can I avoid needing a "running late excuse" frequently?

Improve time management skills by planning ahead, setting reminders, and allowing buffer time for unexpected delays. Prioritize tasks and break down large projects into smaller, manageable steps.

Is it ever acceptable to not provide a "running late excuse"?

While providing an explanation is generally polite, there may be situations where it's unnecessary or inappropriate. If the reason is personal or sensitive, a simple apology may suffice. However, consider the impact of your lateness on others and provide context when possible.