tardily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tardily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done late or after the expected time. Example: "He arrived tardily to the meeting, causing a delay in the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

And the United States Embassy somewhat tardily expressed its "concern" to the president.Some worry that Mr Gutiérrez is trying to concentrate power in his own hands.

The Economist

But in the main Britain has gone along with the European project reluctantly and tardily, often criticising from the sidelines, and joining in only when staying out was clearly the worse option.

The Economist

Children, Bech tardily observes, are "the biological key that turns another lock, in this case that of an identity implausibly extended from his own, like a stick thrust into the water and apparently bent".

The Economist

Bored by its reform, or spooked by the criticism it provoked in many quarters, the government refused to distribute candidates' information with free mail-shots, insisting voters go to a tardily launched website instead.In the event, less than three-tenths of all candidates describe themselves as independents.

The Economist

This is a politician who was brought up in the conservative Home Counties, mentored by Michael Howard, a legendarily tough home secretary, and converted only tardily to the cause of Tory "modernisation".

The Economist

This sits ill with Congress's claim to uphold above all else the interests of the "aam aadmi", or common man.The Supreme Court last month upbraided Mr Singh for moving far too tardily over the 2G scam.

The Economist

The Umbri never fought any important wars against the Romans; in the Social War (90 89 bc), for instance, they joined the rebel allies tardily and were among the first to make peace with Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The beeches are tardily deciduous trees, although some have rather thick, leathery leaves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dexys' fourth album, last year's One Day I'm Going To Soar, somewhat tardily followed up 1985's misunderstood masterpiece Don't Stand Me Down, and describes a lifetime of broken self-esteem, giddy hubris and failed grasps for love.

Independent

In a series of articles for Vanity Fair, Van Vechten argued that the blues deserved "the same serious attention that has tardily been awarded to the Spirituals," and he introduced readers to W. C. Handy, the songwriter who popularized the blues, and to Hughes, whose poems drew inspiration from Negro vernacular culture.

The New Yorker

These are figures who have been nominated several times (five, in Morricone's case), who have never won, and to whom the Academy at last, tardily and guiltily, hands a fistful of gold.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tardily" when you want to convey a sense of formality or mild disapproval regarding lateness or slowness. It's more nuanced than simply saying "late".

Common error

Avoid using "tardily" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "late" or "slowly" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "tardily" modifies verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It emphasizes that the action occurs with a delay or slowness. Ludwig confirms its role through numerous examples where "tardily" describes how something is done.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tardily" functions as an adverb that signifies lateness or slowness, often with a hint of disapproval. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. It's more formal than "late" and sees common usage in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. When choosing a substitute, consider "belatedly" or "slowly" to match your intended tone and context. While correct, "tardily" should be used judiciously to prevent sounding overly formal in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belatedly

Indicates something done or happening later than should have been the case.

late

A more common and general term for not being on time.

slowly

Focuses on the pace at which something is done, rather than just the timing.

behind schedule

Emphasizes the deviation from a planned timeline.

with delay

Highlights the existence of a period of postponement.

after a while

Suggests a non-specific but noticeable lapse of time.

in due course

Implies eventual action, but not necessarily promptness.

at a snail's pace

Emphasizes extreme slowness.

laggardly

Highlights a lack of enthusiasm or speed.

dragging its feet

Figuratively suggests unwillingness to act quickly.

FAQs

What does "tardily" mean?

"Tardily" means in a late or delayed manner; not on time. It can also mean slowly.

How do I use "tardily" in a sentence?

You can use "tardily" to describe actions that are performed later than expected. For example: "The response came "belatedly"." or "He "slowly" began to understand."

What are some synonyms for "tardily"?

Synonyms for "tardily" include "belatedly", "late", and "slowly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "late" or "tardily"?

"Late" is more common and generally appropriate. "Tardily" carries a more formal tone and implies a sense of disapproval or mild criticism for the delay.